A systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of expressive-language outcomes among late talkers (Fisher, 2017)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the literature on predictors of outcomes among late talkers using systematic review and meta-analysis methods. We sought to answer the question: What factors predict preschool-age expressive-language outcomes among late-talking toddlers?Method: We entered carefully selected search terms into the following electronic databases: Communication & Mass Media Complete, ERIC, Medline, PsycEXTRA, Psychological and Behavioral Sciences, and PsycINFO. We conducted a separate, random-effects model meta-analysis for each individual predictor that was used in a minimum of 5 studies. We also tested potential moderators of the relationship between predictors and outcomes using metaregression and subgroup analysis. Last, we conducted publication-bias and sensitivity analyses.

目的：本研究旨在通过系统综述和荟萃分析方法，探讨迟语儿童预后预测因素的文献。我们旨在回答以下问题：哪些因素能够预测学龄前儿童的语言表达能力？方法：我们将精心挑选的搜索词输入以下电子数据库：传播与大众媒体全文数据库、ERIC、Medline、PsycEXTRA、心理与行为科学数据库以及PsycINFO。对于每个在至少5项研究中使用的单一预测因子，我们进行了单独的随机效应模型荟萃分析。此外，我们还利用元回归和子组分析检验了预测因子与结果之间关系的潜在调节因素。最后，我们进行了发表偏倚和敏感性分析。