Magnitude Of Change In Outcome Research Articles

The effects of acute resistance exercise among young adults: A randomized controlled trial

Background The effects of a single bout of resistance exercise (RE) on state anxiety and worry symptoms are understudied. Further, how resistance exercise training (RET) changes response to acute RE is unknown.Methods Sixty-two untrained young adults (mean age (y):26.6; RET n = 27, Wait-list (WL): n = 35, 62.9% female) were randomized to an eight-week, ecologically-valid, guidelines-based RET condition, or eight-week WL control condition. Two acute RE trials were nested within the design at week one and eight, to determine RE response, and change in RE response following RET. The RET condition completed a twice-weekly RET intervention. The WL condition completed 30-minute bouts of quiet-rest at week one and eight. Two-condition (RE/quiet-rest) x two-time (pre/post) x two-session (weeks one/eight) RM-ANCOVAs examined differences between acute RE and quiet-rest pre-post and between acute sessions. Sub-analyses were conducted among young adults with analogue-Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD). Primary outcomes were anxiety and worry symptoms.Results Compliance was 99% (Rate of perceived exertion (6–20) = 14±1, Muscle soreness (1–10)=4 ± 2), with no adverse events. There were no significant three-way interactions for anxiety symptoms or worry symptoms (all p ≥ 0.51) among the total sample or AGAD sample. The magnitude of change in outcomes at each session for both samples were small and non-significant (Hedges’ d = -0.26 to 0.23).Limitations Post-condition assessment of primary outcomes was only conducted at a single time point.Conclusion RE did not elicit significant reductions in state anxiety or worry symptoms ten minutes post-RE. RET did not change response to acute RE. Clinicians should encourage RET for maximum anxiolytic benefits.

Effect size reporting among prominent health journals: a case study of odds ratios

BackgroundThe accuracy of statistical reporting that informs medical and public health practice has generated extensive debate, but no studies have evaluated the frequency or accuracy of effect size (the magnitude...

Intervening to reduce sedentary behavior in older adults - pilot results.

Background: Older adults spend most of their day in sedentary behavior (SB) (i.e., prolonged sitting), increasing risk for negative health outcomes, functional loss, and diminished ability for activities of daily living. The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot test an intervention designed to reduce SB in older adults that could be translated to communities. Methods: Two pilot studies implementing a 4-week SB intervention were conducted. SB,physical function, and health-related quality of life were measured via self-report and objective measures. Participants (N=21) completed assessments pre- and post-intervention (studies 1 and 2) and at follow-up (4-weeks post-intervention; study 2). Due to the pilot nature of this research, data were analyzed with Cohen’s d effect sizes to examine the magnitude of change in outcomes following the intervention. Results: Results for study 1 indicated moderate (d=0.53) decreases in accelerometry-obtained total SB and increases (d=0.52) in light intensity physical activity post-intervention. In study 2,there was a moderate decrease (d=0.57) in SB evident at follow-up. On average SB decreased by approximately 60 min/d in both studies. Also, there were moderate-to-large improvements in vitality (d=0.74; study 1) and gait speed (d=1.15; study 2) following the intervention. Further,the intervention was found to be feasible for staff to implement in the community. Conclusion: These pilot results informed the design of an ongoing federally funded randomized controlled trial with a larger sample of older adults from underserved communities. Effective,feasible, and readily-accessible interventions have potential to improve the health and function of older adults.

Diminishing Effect Sizes with Repeated Exposure to Evidence-Based Practice Training in Entry-Level Health Professional Students: A Longitudinal Study.

To investigate the magnitude of change in outcomes after repeated exposure to evidence-based practice (EBP) training in entry-level health professional students. Using an observational cross-sectional analytic design, the study tracked 78 students in physiotherapy, podiatry, health science, medical radiations, and human movement before and after two sequential EBP courses. The first EBP course was aimed at developing foundational knowledge of and skills in the five steps of EBP; the second was designed to teach students to apply these steps. Two EBP instruments were used to collect objective (actual knowledge) and self-reported (terminology, confidence, practice, relevance, sympathy) data. Participants completed both instruments before and after each course. Effect sizes were larger after the first course than after the second for relevance (0.72 and 0.26, respectively), practice (1.23 and 0.43), terminology (2.73 and 0.84), and actual knowledge (1.92 and 1.45); effect sizes were larger after the second course for sympathy (0.03 and 0.14) and confidence (0.81 and 1.12). Knowledge and relevance changed most meaningfully (i.e., showed the largest effect size) for participants with minimal prior exposure to training. Changes in participants' confidence and attitudes may require a longer time frame and repeated training exposure.

Magnitude of change in outcomes following entry-level evidence-based practice training: a systematic review

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the magnitude of change (effect size) in outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, skills and confidence) following evidence-based practice training in entry-level health professional students.