Combinations of techniques that effectively change health behavior: Evidence from Meta-CART analysis

Elise Dusseldorp*, Lenneke van Genugten, Stef van Buuren, Marieke W. Verheijden, Pepijn van Empelen

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Objective: Many health-promoting interventions combine multiple behavior change techniques (BCTs) to maximize effectiveness. Although, in theory, BCTs can amplify each other, the available metaanalyses have not been able to identify specific combinations of techniques that provide synergistic effects. This study overcomes some of the shortcomings in the current methodology by applying classification and regression trees (CART) to meta-analytic data in a special way, referred to as Meta-CART. The aim was to identify particular combinations of BCTs that explain intervention success. Method: A reanalysis of data from Michie, Abraham, Whittington, McAteer, and Gupta (2009) was performed. These data included effect sizes from 122 interventions targeted at physical activity and healthy eating, and the coding of the interventions into 26 BCTs. A CART analysis was performed using the BCTs as predictors and treatment success (i.e., effect size) as outcome. A subgroup meta-analysis using a mixed effects model was performed to compare the treatment effect in the subgroups found by CART. Results: Meta-CART identified the following most effective combinations: Provide information about behavior- health link with Prompt intention formation (mean effect size g = 0.46), and Provide information about behavior- health link with Provide information on consequences and Use of follow-up prompts (g = 0.44). Least effective interventions were those using Provide feedback on performance without using Provide instruction (g- = 0.05). Conclusions: Specific combinations of BCTs increase the likelihood of achieving change in health behavior, whereas other combinations decrease this likelihood. Meta-CART successfully identified these combinations and thus provides a viable methodology in the context of meta-analysis.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1530-1540
    Number of pages11
    JournalHealth Psychology
    Volume33
    Issue number12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

    Keywords

    • Behavior change techniques
    • Classification and regression trees
    • Intervention effectiveness
    • Meta-analysis
    • Subgroup
    • Synergistic effects

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