RCT

Question 1

how to not get assesment bias

Answer 1

blinding or masking
which could result in under or overestimation of effect

Question 2

how to combat allocation bias

Answer 2

stratification of the sample but be careful not to use too many factors (2 is ok)

Question 3

cross over design

Answer 3

to give both participant groups the advantage of the treatments
- time between treatment A and B is called Washout period
- not useable for cognitive therapy for example

Question 4

analysis method: intention to treat

Answer 4

compare outcome according to randomized group (so even if treatment wasn’t followed in the end)
- external validity
- randomization is maintained
- treatment assignment based only on chance

Question 5

analysis method: per protocol

Answer 5

as randomized, conditional to protocol compliance
- efficacy of treatment under ideal circumstances (compliance)
- proof of therapeutic concept
- don’t have to include data of ppts that didn’t comply

Question 6

analysis method: as treated

Answer 6

last one, this analyzes all people that received the treatment regardless of the compliance
- so only those who drop out are not taken into account

Question 7

when RCT

Answer 7

always experimental
compares interventions, medications or different groups
- low bias
- rn it’s gold standard of science
- different protocols

Question 8

Aerobic exercise and Parkinson’s study

Answer 8

double blind RCT, one group aerobic exercise, one group stretching

outcome: functional connectivity and behavioral control

intention to treat

results:
- increase connectivity anterior putamen and sensorimotor cortex, increased functional connectivity in right frontoparietal NW
- increase in behavioral control

Question 9

smartphone app depression study

Answer 9

predictor and outcome already in the name kinda

intention to treat

intervention app was behavioral activation and mindfulness intervention
control used app with mood monitoring component

depression lower in intervention