Methods for defining and determining the clinical significance of treatment effects: description, application, and alternatives

J Consult Clin Psychol. 1999 Jun;67(3):300-7. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.67.3.300.

Abstract

This article summarizes and scrutinizes the growth of the development of clinically relevant and psychometrically sound approaches for determining the clinical significance of treatment effects in mental health research by tracing its evolution, by examining modifications in the method, and by discussing representative applications. Future directions for this methodology are proposed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials as Topic / methods*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / methods
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Normal Distribution
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / methods*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychotherapy / standards*
  • Reference Values