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Hostile attribution of intent and aggressive behavior: a meta-analysis.

A meta-analytic review was conducted to explain divergent findings on the relation between children's aggressive behavior and hostile attribution of intent to peers. Forty-one studies with 6,017 participants were included in the analysis. Ten studies concerned representative samples from the general population, 24 studies compared nonaggressive to extremely aggressive nonreferred samples, and 7 studies compared nonreferred samples with children referred for aggressive behavior problems. A robust significant association between hostile attribution of intent and aggressive behavior was found. Effect sizes differed considerably between studies. Larger effects were associated with more severe aggressive behavior, rejection by peers as one of the selection criteria, inclusion of 8- to-12-year-old participants, and absence of control for intelligence. Video and picture presentation of stimuli were associated with smaller effect sizes than was audio presentation. Staging of actual social interactions was associated with the largest effects. The importance of understanding moderators of effect size for theory development is stressed.

Aggression↗

Enhanced fracture detection on radiographs with AI assistance for clinicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Emergency radiographic interpretation for fractures is prone to missed or misdiagnoses. Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to become a powerful tool to assist clinicians in fracture detection. PURPOSE: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess whether AI improves clinicians' ability to detect fractures on radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for studies published between January 1, 2010, and October 10, 2025. A meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy studies was performed using a Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (SROC) curve. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies were included . The pooled sensitivity of clinicians increased from 77% (95% CI: 72-81) to 87% (95% CI: 83-90) with AI assistance, while the pooled specificity improved from 88% (95% CI: 85-90) to 92% (95% CI: 89-94). The corresponding AUC values were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87-0.92) before and 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93-0.97) after AI assistance. Eight studies were rated as high risk of bias. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression identified potential sources of heterogeneity, including fracture location, AI model type, high risk of bias, and reference standards. CONCLUSION: AI assistance significantly improves clinicians' diagnostic performance in detecting fractures on radiographs for extremity and trunk fractures.

Humans↗

Impact of epoetin alfa on clinical end points in patients with chronic renal failure: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Numerous randomized, controlled trials have demonstrated that recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO, epoetin alfa) significantly raises hemoglobin levels, reduces transfusion requirements, and improves quality of life in anemic patients with chronic renal failure. However, this accumulation of data has yet to be systematically examined. The objectives of this meta-analysis were to quantify the effects of epoetin alfa on clinical efficacy, quality of life, hospitalizations, and transfusions by collecting and analyzing the published body of evidence. METHODS: Sixteen published studies fulfilled all inclusion criteria and were subjected to data extraction. Data specifically related to hemoglobin and/or hematocrit levels, quality-of-life measurements, number and length of hospitalizations, and number of blood transfusions were then pooled across studies using a random effects meta-analysis. Simple combined estimates of the preselected variables were calculated, and adjusted estimates were made using meta-regression. RESULTS: Baseline hemoglobin levels (<8 g/dL) increased substantially (40% to 50%) after epoetin alfa administration to a nonanemic state (Hb >11 g/dL) for the pooled study group. Substantial improvements (10% to 70%) were observed for all measures of quality of life. In addition, patients who received epoetin alfa had substantial reductions in hospitalization rate, hospital length of stay, transfusion rate, and number of units transfused. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis strongly suggests that epoetin alfa therapy for patients with chronic renal failure provides important clinical and quality-of-life benefits while substantially reducing hospitalizations and transfusions.

Anemia↗

Sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer--review and meta-analysis of 36 empirical studies between 1975-2000.

Literature concerning sexual functioning after treatment for testicular cancer from 1975-2000 is reviewed. After a literature search in Medline and Psylit was conducted, as well as a search for cross-references made, a meta-analysis was performed. To describe sexual functioning, several aspects of the sexual response cycle were used: sexual desire, sexual arousal, erection, and orgasm; ejaculatory function, sexual activity, and sexual satisfaction were used as well. The number of patients included in the studies as well as treatment modalities were taken into account. A total of 36 relevant studies was screened (28 retrospective and 7 prospective studies), concerning 2,786 cases of testicular cancer. Meta-analysis revealed that ejaculatory dysfunction was reported most frequently and was related to surgery in the retroperitoneal area. Erectile dysfunction was related to irradiation, but was reported least frequently. Other sexual functions were not related to treatment modality. Meta-analysis revealed no deterioration of sexual functioning in the course of time, except a decrease in sexual desire and an increase in sexual satisfaction. Retrospective studies reported more sexual dysfunction than did prospective studies. Detailed analysis of separate studies, however, revealed a wide variation in reported sexual morbidity, as well as in assessment methods. Somatic consequences of disease and treatment may reduce ejaculation; however, other aspects of sexual functioning are not clearly related to disease- or treatment-related factors and may instead refer to a psychological vulnerability caused by one's confrontation with a life-threatening, genito-urinary disease, such as testicular cancer.

Erectile Dysfunction↗

Timing of cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare early with delayed cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute lithiasic cholecystitis: a meta-analysis of prospective randomized trials. METHODS: Pertinent studies were selected from the Medline, Embase, Cancerlit, HealthSTAR and Cochrane Library Databases, references from published articles, and reviews. Twelve prospective randomized trials (9 addressing open cholecystectomy and 3 laparoscopic cholecystectomy) were selected. Conventional meta-analysis according to the DerSimonian and Laird method was used for the pooling of the results. The rate difference (RD) (95% CI) and the number needed to treat (NNT) were used as a measure of the therapeutic effect. RESULTS: Cumulative operative and perioperative mortality and morbidity were 0.9% and 17.8%, respectively, for open cholecystectomy and 0% and 13.1%, respectively, for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The pooled RD for operative complications in early surgery was 1.37% (95% CI =-3.78% to 6.53%; p= 0.2) for open cholecystectomy and 3.11% (95% CI =-15.10% to 8.87%; p= 0.6) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In laparoscopic cholecystectomy the cumulative conversion rate to open cholecystectomy was 21.5%. The pooled RD for conversion rate in early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was -7.99% (95% CI =-18.46% to 2.47%; p= 0.1; NNT = 13). Total hospital stay (mean +/- SD) was significantly shorter in the early surgery group (9.6 +/- 2.5 days vs 17.8 +/- 5.8 days; p < 0.0001). More than 20% of patients referred to delayed surgery fail to respond to conservative management or suffer recurrent cholecystitis in the interval period. CONCLUSIONS: Early operation (open or laparoscopic) does not carry a higher risk of mortality and morbidity compared to delayed operation and should be the preferred surgical approach for patients with acute lithiasic cholecystitis.

Acute Disease↗

Use of statins and breast cancer: a meta-analysis of seven randomized clinical trials and nine observational studies.

PURPOSE: A growing body of evidence suggests that statins may have chemopreventive potential against breast cancer. Laboratory studies demonstrate that statins induce apoptosis and reduce cell invasiveness in various cell lines, including breast carcinoma cells. However, the clinical relevance of these data remains unclear. The nonconclusive nature of the epidemiologic data prompted us to conduct a detailed meta-analysis of the studies published on the subject in peer-reviewed literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search for articles published up until 2005 was performed; reviews of each study were conducted; and data were abstracted. Before meta-analysis, the studies were evaluated for publication bias and heterogeneity. Pooled relative risk (RR) estimates and 95% CIs were calculated using the random and the fixed-effects models. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Seven large randomized trials and nine observational studies (five case-control and four cohort studies) contributed to the analysis. We found no evidence of publication bias or heterogeneity among the studies. Statin use did not significantly affect breast cancer risk (fixed effects model: RR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.93 to 1.14; random effects model: RR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.18). When the analyses were stratified into subgroups, there was no evidence that study design substantially influenced the estimate of effects. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of our results. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis findings do not support a protective effect of statins against breast cancer. However, this conclusion is limited by the relatively short follow-up times of the studies analyzed. Further studies are required to investigate the potential decrease in breast cancer risk among long-term statin users.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Comparison of computed tomographic angiography with digital subtraction angiography in the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a novel diagnostic radiological technique, computed tomographic angiography (CTA), with the standard method, namely digital subtraction angiography (DSA), in the diagnosis of cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the world literature on CTA was performed. Articles that reported on prospective comparisons of CTA and DSA in the evaluation of patients suspected of harboring cerebral aneurysms were selected for data extraction. Suitable statistical methods were applied to the extracted data for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-one references met the criteria for use in the meta-analysis. Unweighted calculations based on data for 1251 patients resulted in a sensitivity of 0.933 (93.3%; range, 75.4-100%) and a specificity of 0.878 (87.8%; range, 0-100%). When the studies were weighted for the number of patients in each study, the sensitivity decreased slightly, to 0.927 (92.7%), and the specificity decreased more substantially, to 0.772 (77.2%). CONCLUSION: On the basis of this meta-analysis, DSA remains the standard method. However, many who use CTA have reported it to be as good as or better than DSA in the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral aneurysms, as well as being of less risk and discomfort to their patients and easier and less expensive to perform.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Despite local therapy most patients with muscle invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder die of systemic relapse, indicating a need for effective adjunctive systemic treatment. We determined whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved overall survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed of all known randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for stages II and III TCC conducted between 1984 and 2002. RESULTS: A total of 16 eligible RCTs (3,315 patients) were identified. Of these trials 11 (2,605 patients) provided data suitable for a meta-analysis of overall survival and the pooled HR was 0.90 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.99, p = 0.02). Eight trials used cisplatin based combination chemotherapy and the pooled HR was 0.87 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.96, p = 0.006), consistent with an absolute overall survival benefit of 6.5% (95% CI 2 to 11%) from 50% to 56.5%. Reported progression-free survival data were insufficient for meta-analysis but they appeared concordant with overall survival results. Mortality due to combination chemotherapy was 1.1%. A major pathological response was associated with improved overall survival in 4 trials. CONCLUSIONS Neoadjuvant cisplatin based chemotherapy improves overall survival in muscle invasive TCC. The size of the effect is modest and combination chemotherapy can be administered safely without adverse outcomes resulting in delayed local therapy. An optimal chemotherapy regimen was not identified and newer regimens have not been tested in RCTs in this setting. Further efforts to identify the patients most likely to benefit from neoadjuvant therapy are necessary to optimize its use.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

Effectiveness of brief interventions to reduce alcohol intake in primary health care populations: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Earlier meta-analyses have not made a distinction between very brief (5- to 20-min) interventions and extended (several visits) brief interventions. METHODS: Literature searches identified seven publications, comprising 14 data sets, meeting the inclusion criteria: sampling from primary care populations, random allocation to intervention and to control groups, and follow-up time 6-12 months. RESULTS: For very brief interventions, the change in alcohol consumption was not significant among men nor among women. For extended brief interventions, the pooled effect estimate of change in alcohol intake was -51 g of alcohol per week (95% confidence interval -74, -29) among women. Among men the estimate was of similar magnitude, but significant lack of statistical homogeneity implied that the summary estimate was not meaningful. Significant statistical heterogeneity was observed when data on very brief interventions among men and women were pooled. That was the case also for gamma-glutamyltransferase activity. CONCLUSIONS: Extended brief interventions were effective among women. Other brief interventions seem to be effective sometimes, but not always, and the average effect cannot be reliably estimated. The reasons for the lack of uniform effectiveness should be explored.

Adolescent↗

Revictimization rates and method variance: a meta-analysis.

The present meta-analytic review examined revictimization rates and sources of variance among rates provided by 19 empirical studies of adult females. In this review, revictimization refers to the occurrence of at least one incident of childhood sexual abuse followed by a subsequent incident of adult sexual victimization. Studies were included in the review if they provided rates of revictimization and had a comparison sample of nonrevictimized women. The overall effect size for revictimization was .59, a moderate effect, suggesting a definite relationship between childhood victimization and adult victimization experiences. The overall effect size was heterogeneous and various study characteristics and definition issues were examined to determine their effect on revictimization rates. The most striking, although not surprising finding, was that studies in which more inclusive definitions of abuse were utilized yielded smaller effect sizes than studies that used more restrictive definitions of abuse. Studies that examine victimization or revictimization are often concerned with learning more about the phenomenon with the expectation that by understanding the underlying mechanism, prevention and treatment can be better focused. The interpretation given to results from past and future studies should take into account those factors found to influence estimations of revictimization rates.

Adult↗

Neuroimaging studies of working memory: a meta-analysis.

We performed meta-analyses on 60 neuroimaging (PET and fMRI) studies of working memory (WM), considering three types of storage material (spatial, verbal, and object), three types of executive function (continuous updating of WM, memory for temporal order, and manipulation of information in WM), and interactions between material and executive function. Analyses of material type showed the expected dorsal-ventral dissociation between spatial and nonspatial storage in the posterior cortex, but not in the frontal cortex. Some support was found for left frontal dominance in verbal WM, but only for tasks with low executive demand. Executive demand increased right lateralization in the frontal cortex for spatial WM. Tasks requiring executive processing generally produce more dorsal frontal activations than do storage-only tasks, but not all executive processes show this pattern. Brodmann's areas (BAs) 6, 8, and 9, in the superior frontal cortex, respond most when WM must be continuously updated and when memory for temporal order must be maintained. Right BAs 10 and 47, in the ventral frontal cortex, respond more frequently with demand for manipulation (including dual-task requirements or mental operations). BA 7, in the posterior parietal cortex, is involved in all types of executive function. Finally, we consider a potential fourth executive function: selective attention to features of a stimulus to be stored in WM, which leads to increased probability of activating the medial prefrontal cortex (BA 32) in storage tasks.

Attention↗

Aerobic exercise and normotensive adults: a meta-analysis.

Using the meta-analytic approach, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on resting systolic (SYS) and diastolic (DIA) blood pressure in normotensive adults: The results of 35 human clinical training studies published in English-language journals between 1963 and 1992 and representing 1,076 subjects (800 exercise, 276 control) met criteria for inclusion. Across all categories and designs, statistically significant post-exercise reductions were found for both SYS and DIA blood pressure (mean +/- SD, SYS: -4.4 +/- 6.6 mm Hg, 95% CI, -6.2 to -2.6 mm Hg; DIA: -3.2 +/- 3.2 mm Hg, 95% CI, -4.0 to -2.2 mm Hg). When partitioned according to type of study: 1) (randomized controlled trials (RCT), 2) controlled trials (CT), and 3) no controls (NC), the following changes were noted: RCT, SYS: -4.5 +/- 7.2 mm Hg, 95% CI, -7.1 to -1.2 mm Hg; DIA: -3.8 +/- 2.9 mm Hg, 95% CI, -5.0 to -2.6 mm Hg; CT, SYS: -2.8 +/- 6.9 mm Hg, 95% CI, -10.0 to 4.4 mm Hg; DIA: -5.0 +/- 3.7 mm Hg, 95% CI, -8.9 to -1.1 mm Hg; NC, SYS: -4.7 +/- 6.1 mm Hg, 95% CI, -7.5 to 1.9 mm Hg; DIA: -1.7 +/- 3.0 mm Hg, 95% CI, -3.2 to -0.36 mm Hg. We concluded that aerobic exercise results in small reductions in resting SYS and DIA blood pressure among normotensive adults.

Adolescent↗

Meta-analysis: an update.

A fairly new type of research, termed meta-analysis, attempts to analyze and combine the results of previous reports. In 1992 we updated our 1987 survey of 86 meta-analyses of randomized control trial reports in the english language literature with an additional 78. We evaluated the quality of these meta-analyses using a scoring method that lists 23 items in six major areas: study design, combinability, control of bias, statistical analysis, sensitivity analysis, and application of results. Of the 23 individual items, the mean number satisfactorily addressed was 7.63 +/- 2.84 (mean +/- S.D.) for 40 papers published from 1955 through 1982, 6.80 +/- 3.86 for 66 papers published from 1983 through 1986, and 11.91 +/- 4.79 for 58 papers published from 1987 through 1990 (F = 31.3, p < .001). We noted that methodology has definitely improved since our first survey of meta-analyses, but an urgent need still exists for a better search of the literature, quality evaluation of trials, and a synthesis of the results. Recently, meta-analysis has expanded to cover non-randomized studies, including evaluation of diagnostic tests and pooling of epidemiologic studies. There is growing concern for standards, and several methodologic issues remain unresolved.

Bias↗

Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing lansoprazole with ranitidine or famotidine in the treatment of acute duodenal ulcer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare the clinical efficacy of lansoprazole with the efficacies of ranitidine and famotidine in order to rank this drug in the hierarchy of duodenal ulcer treatments. METHODS: All randomized clinical trials in which lansoprazole was used to treat patients with duodenal ulceration were reviewed. The meta-analysis included a quality assessment for each trial. The main criterion chosen for the meta-analysis was the endoscopic healing rate at 4 weeks; other criteria were the healing rate at 2 weeks and the absence of pain at 2 and 4 weeks. Statistical methods used were the Der Simonian and Laird method and the method of Peto et al. A sensitivity analysis was performed according to the H2 blocker type (famotidine or ranitidine). Odds ratios against histamine-receptor blockers were used to compare lansoprazole indirectly with omeprazole and other drugs. RESULTS: Five double-blind trials were identified including 848 patients. The mean 4-week healing rate in patients treated with lansoprazole was 85%, which was significantly higher than the healing rate in patients treated with H2-receptor blockers (75%). This difference of 10% was significant (P < 0.01) according to the Der Simonian method, and the corresponding odds ratio of 2.27 (95% confidence interval 1.5-3.2) was significant according to the Peto method (P < 0.01). There was also a significant difference in favour of lansoprazole for 2-week healing rates (mean difference 20%, P < 0.01) and for the percentage of patients without pain at 2 weeks (mean difference 8%; P < 0.02). Indirect comparisons of 4-week healing rates showed no difference between 30 mg lansoprazole and 20 mg omeprazole and confirmed that both drugs had a greater efficacy than ranitidine, famotidine, nizitidine, cimetidine or sucralfate. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that 30 mg lansoprazole was more effective in producing healing at 2 and 4 weeks than ranitidine or famotidine. Lansoprazole also led to a greater reduction in the percentage of patients free of pain at 2 weeks. The efficacy of lansoprazole was not different from that of omeprazole.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Economic effectiveness of disease management programs: a meta-analysis.

The economic effectiveness of disease management programs, which are designed to improve the clinical and economic outcomes for chronically ill individuals, has been evaluated extensively. A literature search was performed with MEDLINE and other published sources for the period covering January 1995 to September 2003. The search was limited to empirical articles that measured the direct economic outcomes for asthma, diabetes, and heart disease management programs. Of the 360 articles and presentations evaluated, only 67 met the selection criteria for meta-analysis, which included 32,041 subjects. Although some studies contained multiple measurements of direct economic outcomes, only one average effect size per study was included in the meta-analysis. Based on the studies included in the research, a meta-analysis provided a statistically significant answer to the question of whether disease management programs are economically effective. The magnitude of the observed average effect size for equally weighted studies was 0.311 (95% CI = 0.272-0.350). Statistically significant differences of effect sizes by study design, disease type and intensity of disease management program interventions were not found after a moderating variable, disease severity, was taken into consideration. The results suggest that disease management programs are more effective economically with severely ill enrollees and that chronic disease program interventions are most effective when coordinated with the overall level of disease severity. The findings can be generalized, which may assist health care policy makers and practitioners in addressing the issue of providing economically effective care for the growing number of individuals with chronic illness.

Analysis of Variance↗

Psychopharmacology and aggression. I: A meta-analysis of stimulant effects on overt/covert aggression-related behaviors in ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: To determine by meta-analysis the effect size for stimulants on overt and covert aggression-related behaviors in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), separately from stimulant effects on the core symptoms of ADHD. METHOD: A review of the literature from 1970 to 2001 revealed 28 studies meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria for meta-analysis. These studies yielded 28 independent effects of overt aggression and 7 independent effects of covert aggression. RESULTS: The overall weighted mean effect size was 0.84 for overt and 0.69 for covert aggression related behaviors in ADHD. Comorbid conduct disorder is associated with diminishing stimulant effect size for overt aggression. CONCLUSION: Stimulant effects for aggression-related behaviors in ADHD have effect sizes similar to those for the core symptoms of ADHD.

Adolescent↗

The impact of dosing frequency on the efficacy of 10-day penicillin or amoxicillin therapy for streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The recommended dosing frequency of oral penicillin for the treatment of acute streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis has long been 3 to 4 times daily. In 1994, treatment guidelines included twice-daily (BID) dosing for the first time, a recommendation that could significantly increase the ease of compliance. This meta-analysis was performed to determine whether overall cure rates differed between BID or once-daily (QD) versus more frequent dosing schedules in the treatment of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. DATA SOURCES: Candidate studies for this meta-analysis included all clinical trials of therapy for streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis published through August 1998 and identified using Medline, Dissertation Abstracts, conference proceedings, and bibliographies of all retrieved articles. STUDY SELECTION: A study was eligible for inclusion if it was a randomized clinical trial that compared the efficacies of different dosing frequencies of 10-day penicillin or amoxicillin in the treatment of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Of the 30 articles initially identified, 6 studies met eligibility criteria. OUTCOME MEASURE: The measure of interest was the difference in proportion cured between the BID or QD dosing group and the comparison group with more frequent dosing. RESULTS: The results of this analysis suggest that BID dosing of 10-day penicillin is as efficacious as more frequent dosing regimens in the treatment of streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. This result also holds true in a subgroup analysis confined to pediatric cases and does not vary with total daily dose of the regimen. QD dosing of penicillin is associated with a cure rate that is 12 percentage points lower than more frequent dosing (95% confidence interval: 3-21). In contrast, this decreased efficacy is not found with QD dosing of amoxicillin. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis supports current recommendations for BID dosing of penicillin in treating streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. QD penicillin is associated with decreased efficacy and should not be used. Simplified regimens of amoxicillin of shorter duration or of less frequent dosing should be further investigated.

Administration, Oral↗

[A meta-analysis of the effects of smoking prevention programs in Korea].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to describe the characteristics of smoking prevention programs in Korea, to estimate overall effect size of Korean smoking prevention programs, and to investigate effect size variations by program modality and instruction method. METHOD: Meta-analysis was performed on 21 programs in 20 studies. RESULT: The estimation of overall effect size for knowledge and attitude was not possible because effect sizes were not homogeneous in this meta-analysis. However, effect sizes of studies that were socially influential programs or active/interactive methods were larger than information-oriented programs or passive/non-interactive methods in the pictures. The effects for behavioral outcomes were generally not as positive and not statistically significant. Q statistics showed that variations among effect sizes within program modality and instruction method classifications were heterogeneous. CONCLUSION: The results from this meta-analysis support the continued use of socially influential programs and active/interactive methods for smoking prevention programs. Because behavioral effect might be the fundamental objective of smoking prevention programs, the present results indicate that smoking prevention programs should consider adopting more effective programs.

Health Promotion↗