Question

A study showed that low-intensity shock therapy reduces pain levels in patients with lupus. During each session, electrodes were placed on the pain site indicated by the patient. Pain reduction was measured through self-reporting after each session.

Another study is being designed to examine whether low-intensity shock therapy also reduces pain in patients suffering from bulging disks in the thoracic region of the back. Two hundred female patients are subjects in the new study.

Part A: What is an appropriate design for the new study? Include treatments used, method of treatment assignment, and variables that should be measured. (4 points)

Part B: If the study consisted of 100 male and 100 female patients instead of 200 female patients, would you change the study design? If so, how would you modify your design? If not, why not? (4 points)

Part C: Could your design be double-blind? Explain. (2 points) (10 points)

Answer 1

part A: The appropriate design for the study includes;Treatment used; Chamomile oil treatment

Method of treatment; Application of the chamomile oil to the cervical region of patients experiencing pain due to pinched nerves

Treatment assignment; Treatment should be assigned to patients with pinched nerves

Variables that should be measured; Reduction or relief of pain as reported by the patients

Part B; The study should be administered equally to both male and female as the symptoms can be experienced by both male and female

Part C; The design could be double blind by replacing the chamomile administered by placebo, thereby preventing bias from both researcher and participants in the results of the research.

Explanation: