scholarly journals A Review Focused on the Psychological Effectiveness of Tai Chi on Different Populations

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Zhang ◽  
Charles Layne ◽  
Thomas Lowder ◽  
Jian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Tai Chi ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Statistical Techniques ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Scientific Process ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

As a popular exercise form, Tai Chi (TC) has been investigated to determine its contributions to an active and healthy lifestyle. There are an increasing number of researchers who focus on exploring the potential physiological and psychological benefits of TC but only a few systematic reviews of these benefits to a variety of populations. The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively evaluate the reported psychological benefits associated with practicing TC. Although many investigators have reported possible psychological benefits of TC for children, young adults, older healthy adults, and for a variety of patient populations, many of the reports suffer one or more methodological flaws. These flaws include inadequate study design, including lack of control groups, small sample sizes, unsophisticated statistical techniques, or publication without rigorous peer review. After reviewing the results of the existing literature regarding the potential psychological benefits of TC, we recommend that future investigations be conducted with additional adherence to the traditional scientific process.

scholarly journals Non-Invasive Monitoring of Adrenocortical Activity in Three Sympatric Desert Gerbil Species

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Álvaro Navarro-Castilla ◽  
Mario Garrido ◽  
Hadas Hawlena ◽  
Isabel Barja
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample ◽  
Post Injection ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Adrenocortical Activity ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Endocrine Status ◽  
Corticosterone Metabolites ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Fecal Corticosterone Metabolites

The study of the endocrine status can be useful to understand wildlife responses to the changing environment. Here, we validated an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to non-invasively monitor adrenocortical activity by measuring fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) in three sympatric gerbil species (Gerbillus andersoni, G. gerbillus and G. pyramidum) from the Northwestern Negev Desert’s sands (Israel). Animals included into treatment groups were injected with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to stimulate adrenocortical activity, while control groups received a saline solution. Feces were collected at different intervals and FCM were quantified by an EIA. Basal FCM levels were similar in the three species. The ACTH effect was evidenced, but the time of FCM peak concentrations appearance differed between the species (6–24 h post-injection). Furthermore, FCM peak values were observed sooner in G. andersoni females than in males (6 h and 18 h post-injection, respectively). G. andersoni and G. gerbillus males in control groups also increased FCM levels (18 h and 48 h post-injection, respectively). Despite the small sample sizes, our results confirmed the EIA suitability for analyzing FCM in these species as a reliable indicator of the adrenocortical activity. This study also revealed that close species, and individuals within a species, can respond differently to the same stressor.

scholarly journals Sample Size Determination and Optimal Design of Simple Pretest-Posttest Experimental Designs: Introduction, Software, and Illustrations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metin Bulus
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Design ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Experimental Designs ◽  
Sample Size Determination ◽  
Size Determination ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
And Control

A recent systematic review of experimental studies conducted in Turkey between 2010 and 2020 reported that small sample sizes had been a significant drawback (Bulus and Koyuncu, 2021). A small chunk of the studies were small-scale true experiments (subjects randomized into the treatment and control groups). The remaining studies consisted of quasi-experiments (subjects in treatment and control groups were matched on pretest or other covariates) and weak experiments (neither randomized nor matched but had the control group). They had an average sample size below 70 for different domains and outcomes. These small sample sizes imply a strong (and perhaps erroneous) assumption about the minimum relevant effect size (MRES) of intervention before an experiment is conducted; that is, a standardized intervention effect of Cohen’s d < 0.50 is not relevant to education policy or practice. Thus, an introduction to sample size determination for pretest-posttest simple experimental designs is warranted. This study describes nuts and bolts of sample size determination, derives expressions for optimal design under differential cost per treatment and control units, provide convenient tables to guide sample size decisions for MRES values between 0.20 ≤ Cohen’s d ≤ 0.50, and describe the relevant software along with illustrations.

scholarly journals Establishing Agreement between Parent-reported and Directly-measured Behaviours

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon K. Bennetts ◽  
Fiona K. Mensah ◽  
Elizabeth M. Westrupp ◽  
Naomi J. Hackworth ◽  
Jan M. Nicholson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Quantitative Measurement ◽  
Measurement Methods ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Statistical Techniques ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Bland Altman Method ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Statistical Approaches ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

THE QUALITY AND ACCURACY OF research findings relies on the use of appropriate and sensitive research methods. To date, few studies have directly compared quantitative measurement methods in the early childhood field and the extent to which parent-reported and directly-measured behaviours agree is unclear. Existing studies are hampered by small sample sizes and the use of statistical techniques which quantify the magnitude of association between measures (e.g. correlations), but not agreement. Here we review the limitations of existing method comparisons and suggest how alternative statistical approaches such as the Bland-Altman Method and ordinary least products regression can be readily applied in the early childhood context. Understanding agreement (and disagreement) between measurement methods has potential to reduce research costs and improve data quality, with important implications for researchers, clinicians and policy-makers.

scholarly journals Hormone Therapy, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Among Transgender People: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kellan E Baker ◽  
Lisa M Wilson ◽  
Ritu Sharma ◽  
Vadim Dukhanin ◽  
Kristen McArthur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hormone Therapy ◽  
Hormone Treatment ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Transgender People ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Study Designs

Abstract We sought to systematically review the effect of gender-affirming hormone therapy on psychological outcomes among transgender people. We searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO through June 10, 2020 for studies evaluating quality of life (QOL), depression, anxiety, and death by suicide in the context of gender-affirming hormone therapy among transgender people of any age. We excluded case studies and studies reporting on less than 3 months of follow-up. We included 20 studies reported in 22 publications. Fifteen were trials or prospective cohorts, one was a retrospective cohort, and 4 were cross-sectional. Seven assessed QOL, 12 assessed depression, 8 assessed anxiety, and 1 assessed death by suicide. Three studies included trans-feminine people only; 7 included trans-masculine people only, and 10 included both. Three studies focused on adolescents. Hormone therapy was associated with increased QOL, decreased depression, and decreased anxiety. Associations were similar across gender identity and age. Certainty in this conclusion is limited by high risk of bias in study designs, small sample sizes, and confounding with other interventions. We could not draw any conclusions about death by suicide. Future studies should investigate the psychological benefits of hormone therapy among larger and more diverse groups of transgender people using study designs that more effectively isolate the effects of hormone treatment.

scholarly journals Tai Chi as an Alternative and Complementary Therapy for Patients With Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Sharma ◽  
Taj Haider
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
English Language ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Complementary Therapy ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Attrition Rates ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are the third ranking cause of death worldwide. A systematic review was conducted to determine the efficacy of tai chi as a therapy to relieve symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or asthma. Inclusion criteria were ( a) published in the English language, ( b) between the period January 2008 and July 2012, ( c) included tai chi or any form of modified tai chi as a therapy in an intervention, ( d) used any quantitative study design, and ( e) measured chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and/or asthma as an outcome. A total of 5 interventions from 6 studies met these criteria. Tai chi as an effective therapy for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is still difficult to determine, although the result listed here are promising. Limitations include small sample sizes, high attrition rates, and short intervention durations.

Dietary Supplements for Improving Body Composition and Reducing Body Weight: Where Is the Evidence?

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda M. Manore
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Composition ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Weight Losses ◽  
Number Of Factors ◽  
Improve Body Composition ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

Weight-loss supplements typically fall into 1 of 4 categories depending on their hypothesized mechanism of action: products that block the absorption of fat or carbohydrate, stimulants that increase thermogenesis, products that change metabolism and improve body composition, and products that suppress appetite or give a sense of fullness. Each category is reviewed, and an overview of the current science related to their effectiveness is presented. While some weight-loss supplements produce modest effects (<2 kg weight loss), many have either no or few randomized clinical trials examining their effectiveness. A number of factors confound research results associated with the efficacy of weight-loss supplements, such as small sample sizes, short intervention periods, little or no follow-up, and whether the supplement is given in combination with an energy-restricted diet or increased exercise expenditure. There is no strong research evidence indicating that a specific supplement will produce significant weight loss (>2 kg), especially in the long term. Some foods or supplements such as green tea, fiber, and calcium supplements or dairy products may complement a healthy lifestyle to produce small weight losses or prevent weight gain over time. Weight-loss supplements containing metabolic stimulants (e.g., caffeine, ephedra, synephrine) are most likely to produce adverse side effects and should be avoided.

Use of proper statistical techniques for research studies with small samples

2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (5) ◽  
pp. L873-L877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charity J. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Statistical Techniques ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Research Studies

In this review I discuss the appropriateness of various statistical methods for use with small sample sizes. I review the assumptions and limitations of these methods and provide recommendations for figures and statistical tests.

scholarly journals How to prove that your therapy is effective, even when it is not: a guideline

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 428-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Cuijpers ◽  
I. A. Cristea
Keyword(s):  
Gold Standard ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Randomised Trial ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Risk Of Bias ◽  
Randomised Trials ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Positive Effect

Aims.Suppose you are the developer of a new therapy for a mental health problem or you have several years of experience working with such a therapy, and you would like to prove that it is effective. Randomised trials have become the gold standard to prove that interventions are effective, and they are used by treatment guidelines and policy makers to decide whether or not to adopt, implement or fund a therapy.Methods.You would want to do such a randomised trial to get your therapy disseminated, but in reality your clinical experience already showed you that the therapy works. How could you do a trial in order to optimise the chance of finding a positive effect?Results.Methods that can help include a strong allegiance towards the therapy, anything that increases expectations and hope in participants, making use of the weak spots of randomised trials (risk of bias), small sample sizes and waiting list control groups (but not comparisons with existing interventions). And if all that fails one can always not publish the outcomes and wait for positive trials.Conclusions.Several methods are available to help you show that your therapy is effective, even when it is not.

scholarly journals Efficacy of St. John's Wort for Treating Mild to Moderate Depression

2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 184-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tera Gahlsdorf ◽  
Robert Krause ◽  
Margaret W. Beal
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
St John’S Wort ◽  
St John's Wort ◽  
Moderate Depression ◽  
Pharmaceutical Group ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
Small Sample Sizes ◽  
Larger Sample

Current studies regarding the efficacy of the herb St. John's wort (SJW) in treating mild to moderate cases of depression show conflicting evidence. In this article, we review the literature and consider similarities and differences between studies showing some efficacy and those showing none. Twelve published reports were reviewed. The majority of studies indicated the efficacy of SJW in the treatment of mild to moderate cases of depression. Most trials have had small sample sizes and either a placebo group or a standard pharmaceutical group. Two studies (both pediatric) were uncontrolled. Studies generally reported outcomes that had positive implications for their financial supporters and/or those with whom the primary investigators had acknowledged financial affiliations. More studies that have larger sample sizes and include placebo and pharmaceutical control groups are needed.

scholarly journals Review of Clinical Trials on the Effects of Tai Chi Practice on Primary Hypertension: The Current State of Study Design and Quality Control

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Yuke Teng ◽  
Sha Yang ◽  
Yuan Chen ◽  
Yuyi Guo ◽  
Yushi Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Primary Hypertension ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
Tai Chi Exercise ◽  
Small Sample Sizes

The modulation of Tai Chi in physiological function and psychological status attracts sustaining attention. This paper collected original articles regarding the effects of Tai Chi practice on modulating primary hypertension from 7 electronic databases (PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, and China Science and Technology Journal Database) from their dates of origin to October 1st, 2020. A total of 45 articles were included. The literature analyses have shown that the benefits of Tai Chi practice for blood pressure management have been identified in all of the included 45 studies, and Tai Chi exercise has shown significant efficacy in improving hypertension clinical symptoms and quality of life, compared to the majority of control interventions, though there are also some methodological issues, including small sample sizes, lack of exact randomization methods and quality control criteria, and lack of specific standards used to measure the characteristics of Tai Chi practice. In the future, the inclusion of additional design standards, stricter quality controls, and evaluation measures for the features of Tai Chi practice is required in trials evaluating its effects on hypertension.

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