Thus the distribution method can only be used to calculate an absolute MCID as there is no st and ard deviation of baseline score for a relative measure .
The anchor-based method relates the change in
To the Editor : The same patient outcome data from clinical trial results , when presented as absolute or relative changes , may appear different in magnitude .
Recommendations are to report both absolute and relative , or at least baseline , data from which to calculate absolute values [ 1 , 2 ] .
To inform clinical practice , outcome improvements , whether relative or absolute , must be statistically significant and clinical ly meaningful .
A minimal clinical ly important difference ( MCID ) should inform sample size calculations for clinical trials .
Does the use of a handheld fan improve chronic dyspnea? A randomized, controlled, crossover trial.
CONTEXT Dyspnea is a disabling distressing symptom that is common in advanced disease affecting millions of people worldwide . Current palliative strategies are partially effective in managing this symptom ; facial cooling has been shown to reduce the sensation of breathlessness when induced in volunteers but has not been formally investigated in dyspnea associated with disease . OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate whether a h and held fan reduces the sensation of breathlessness in such patients , enhancing palliative approaches . METHODS The effectiveness of a h and held fan ( blowing air across the nose and mouth ) in reducing the sensation of breathlessness was assessed in patients with advanced disease . Fifty participants were r and omized to use a h and held fan for five minutes directed to their face or leg first and then crossed over to the other treatment . The primary outcome measure was a decrease of greater than 1 cm in breathlessness recorded on a 10 cm visual analog scale ( VAS ) . RESULTS There was a significant difference in the VAS scores between the two treatments , with a reduction in breathlessness when the fan was directed to the face ( P=0.003 ) . CONCLUSION This study supports the hypothesis that a h and held fan directed to the face reduces the sensation of breathlessness . The fan was acceptable to participants : it is inexpensive , portable , enhances self-efficacy , and available internationally . It should be recommended as part of a palliative management strategy for reducing breathlessness associated with advanced disease
Thus the distribution method can only be used to calculate an absolute MCID as there is no st and ard deviation of baseline score for a relative measure .
The anchor-based method relates the change in
To the Editor : The same patient outcome data from clinical trial results , when presented as absolute or relative changes , may appear different in magnitude .
Recommendations are to report both absolute and relative , or at least baseline , data from which to calculate absolute values [ 1 , 2 ] .
To inform clinical practice , outcome improvements , whether relative or absolute , must be statistically significant and clinical ly meaningful .
A minimal clinical ly important difference ( MCID ) should inform sample size calculations for clinical trials .