A parallel group RCT was conducted to compare the effects of a new drug treatment regime against the currently used treatment on patients with neuropathic pain. The primary outcome was the fall in pain scores over a three week course of treatment. Patients who presented with consistent neuropathic pain at 5 clinics in the Sydney area were eligible to take part in the trial. Summaries of the primary outcome under the two treatments were:-
N Sample Mean (Change in pain score) Sample Standard Deviation
New Treatment 75 -1.75 4.52
Current Treatment 100 -0.38 3.75
a) Write your conclusions about the effectiveness of the new treatment.
b) Discuss the potential sources of bias in this trial and what should be included in the design to avoid those biases.
Additional Information
This question is based on the Statistics and it is about a study on an alternative drug treatment for patients with neuropathic pain. Patients responded well for the new drug treatment with decreased pain. The conclusions about the study and the potential sources of bias of this trail have been answered in the solution.