Behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions for outwardly-directed aggressive behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities

Afia Ali, Ian Hall, Jessica Blickwedel, Angela Hassiotis, Afia Ali, Ian Hall, Jessica Blickwedel, Angela Hassiotis

Abstract

Background: Outwardly-directed aggressive behaviour is a significant part of problem behaviours presented by people with intellectual disabilities. Prevalence rates of up to 50% have been reported in the literature, depending on the population sampled. Such behaviours often run a long-term course and are a major cause of social exclusion. This is an update of a previously published systematic review (see Hassiotis 2004; Hassiotis 2008).

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions on outwardly-directed aggressive behaviour in people with intellectual disabilities when compared to standard intervention or wait-list controls.

Search methods: In April 2014 we searched CENTRAL, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and eight other databases. We also searched two trials registers, checked reference lists, and handsearched relevant journals to identify any additional trials.

Selection criteria: We included studies if more than four participants (children or adults) were allocated by random or quasi-random methods to either intervention, standard treatment, or wait-list control groups.

Data collection and analysis: Two review authors independently identified studies and extracted and assessed the quality of the data.

Main results: We deemed six studies (309 participants), based on adult populations with intellectual disabilities, suitable for inclusion in the current version of this review. These studies examined a range of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) approaches: anger management (three studies (n = 235); one individual therapy and two group-based); relaxation (one study; n = 12), mindfulness based on meditation (one study; n = 34), problem solving and assertiveness training (one study; n = 28). We were unable to include any studies using behavioural interventions. There were no studies of children.Only one study reported moderate quality of evidence for outcomes of interest as assessed by the Grades of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. We judged the evidence for the remaining studies to be of very low to low quality. Most studies were at risk of bias in two or more domains: one study did not randomly allocate participants and in two studies the process of randomisation was unclear; in one study there was no allocation concealment and in three studies this was unclear; blinding of assessors did not occur in three studies; incomplete outcome data were presented in one study and unclear in two studies; there was selective reporting in one study; and other biases were present in one study and unclear in four studies.Three of the six studies showed some benefit of the intervention on improving anger ratings. We did not conduct a meta-analysis, as we considered the studies too heterogeneous to combine (e.g. due to differences in the types of participants, sample size interventions, and outcome measures).Follow-up data for anger ratings for both the treatment and control groups were available for two studies. Only one of these studies (n = 161) had adequate long-term data (10 months), which found some benefit of treatment at follow-up (continued improvement in anger coping skills as rated by key workers; moderate-quality evidence).Two studies (n = 192) reported some evidence that the intervention reduces the number of incidents of aggression and one study (n = 28) reported evidence that the intervention improved mental health symptoms.One study investigated the effects of the intervention on quality of life and cost of health and social care utilisation. This study provided moderate-quality evidence, which suggests that compared to no treatment, behavioural or cognitive-behavioural interventions do not improve quality of life at 16 weeks (n = 129) or at 10 months follow-up (n = 140), or reduce the cost of health service utilisation (n = 133).Only one study (n = 28) assessed adaptive functioning. It reported evidence that assertiveness and problem-solving training improved adaptive behaviour.No studies reported data on adverse events.

Authors' conclusions: The existing evidence on the effectiveness of behavioural and cognitive-behavioural interventions on outwardly-directed aggression in children and adults with intellectual disabilities is limited. There is a paucity of methodologically sound clinical trials and a lack of long-term follow-up data. Given the impact of such behaviours on the individual and his or her support workers, effective interventions are essential. We recommend that randomised controlled trials of sufficient power are carried out using primary outcomes that include reduction in outward-directed aggressive behaviour, improvement in quality of life, and cost effectiveness.

Conflict of interest statement

Dr Afia Ali ‐ none known. Dr Ian Hall ‐ is employed as a consultant psychiatrist in the United Kingdom's (UK) National Health Service (NHS), and receives fees for giving expert testimony in civil cases in the English Courts. He receives expense payments in relation to study leave and activities connected with his employment. Dr Hall does unremunerated work for the Royal College of Psychiatrists leading and supporting psychiatrists, and setting standards in psychiatry. Jessica Blickwedel ‐ none known. Professor Angela Hassiotis ‐ is the author of an academic publication Hassiotis 2009 that was excluded from this review. Although she was not directly involved in the decision making regarding the paper, she has an overview of the work completed for this document. She declares that at no point has she attempted to influence her co‐authors' decisions about this paper. Professor Hassiotis's institution has grants pending with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) for Research for Patient Benefit and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programmes, and the Bailey Thomas Charitable Foundation. Professor Hassiotis occasionally receives payment for lecture honoraria by academic institutions as an invited speaker/workshop leader and author of commissioned articles.