Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42104500›Full record

SynthesisBMC psychology2026

Efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy-based interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Guimei Fan, Pei Wang, Wenjing Zhang, Xiaorui Chen

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC psychology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Guimei FanShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwuweiqi Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250021, Shandong Province, China.
Pei WangShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwuweiqi Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250021, Shandong Province, China.
Wenjing ZhangShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwuweiqi Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250021, Shandong Province, China.
Xiaorui ChenShandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwuweiqi Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250021, Shandong Province, China. liuxiyan201606@163.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social communication deficits and emotional dysregulation. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has shown potential benefits in various psychiatric conditions; however, evidence regarding its effectiveness in individuals with ASD remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of DBT-based interventions on emotional regulation, suicidal ideation, and depressive symptoms in ASD.

methodsSix English and Chinese databases were searched from inception to April 1, 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing DBT-based interventions with control conditions in individuals with ASD were included. Data were pooled using standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and subgroup analyses were conducted.

resultsFour RCTs involving 375 participants were included. Compared with controls, DBT-based interventions were associated with significant improvements in emotional regulation (SMD = - 0.89, 95% CI: -1.67 to - 0.10) and reductions in suicidal ideation (SMD = - 1.97, 95% CI: -3.02 to - 0.91) and depressive symptoms (SMD = - 2.23, 95% CI: -4.35 to - 0.11). Subgroup analysis indicated that shorter session duration (≤ 60 min) was associated with greater improvements in emotional regulation, whereas no significant effect was observed for longer sessions (> 60 min). No significant effects were found for anxiety.

conclusionDBT-based interventions show potential benefits in improving emotional regulation, reducing suicidal ideation, and alleviating depressive symptoms in individuals with ASD. However, the findings should be interpreted with caution due to the limited number of trials and substantial heterogeneity. Further large-scale, high-quality RCTs are warranted.

Indexed as

Autism Spectrum DisorderDepressionDialectical Behavior TherapyEmotional RegulationHumansSuicidal IdeationTreatment OutcomeAutistic spectrum disorderDialectical behavior therapyEfficacyMeta-analysisPsychotherapy

Identifiers

PMID42104500
PMCPMC13185413

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.