Meta-analysis on the effectiveness of behavioral activation programs

Objectives This study aims to provide effective therapeutic intervention in the behavioral activation program by analyzing the comprehensive effects of previous studies of the domestic behavioral activation program targeting subjects who implemented the domestic behavioral activation program. Methods From 2002 to 2023, data were collected using the search terms ‘behavioral activation’ and ‘behavioral activation program’ from domestic academic journals and dissertations published, classified according to the PICOS criteria, and a total of 15 articles were selected through a systematic literature review and meta-analyzed using software CMA. Results The overall effect size was .464, which is a medium effect size, proving that the behavioral activation program is effective. As a result of analyzing the effect size according to the dependent variable, among the 15 types of dependent variables in the final sub-analysis unit, there were significant effects in 9 areas in the following order: negative level (1.313), emotion (1.178), quality of life (.770), depression (.703), smoking cessation effect (.6), number of behavioral activations (.457), positive level (.439), anxiety (.309), and cognition (.196). The effect size in the experimental design showed a high effect size in the order of control group pre-post-post (.619) and control group pre-post-post (.606), and a low effect size in the single group pre-post-post (.195). In terms of major fields, both sociology (.505) and psychology (.413) were statistically significant, showing a medium effect size. According to the effect size by the characteristics of the moderator program, the effect size was in the order of hospital (.805), general public (.451), and community (.323) as the subjects. By operation method, both online (.216) and offline (.582) showed significant effect sizes, but offline showed a larger effect size. By disease, the effect sizes were in the order of anxiety (.542), depression (.419), and schizophrenia (.402), and 12 sessions (.839) showed the largest effect size. The effect size by session operating time was in the order of 30 minutes or less (.649), 61-90 minutes (.499), and 31-60 minutes (.357). The total time showed a large effect size for less than 6 hours (.649), 9 to 12 hours (.602), 12 to 15 hours (.552), and 15 to 15 hours (.754), while 6 to 9 hours (.271) showed a small effect size. Conclusions This study was the first in Korea to conduct a meta-analysis targeting behavioral activation and proved its effectiveness, and is significant in providing practical data on how to intervene with more effective programs in the field of behavioral activation.