Question

A preliminary study conducted at a medical center in Tallahassee has shown that treatment with brief low-intensity vibrations reduces the self-reported level of pain in patients with fibromyalgia. During each session, a patient rested on an examining table in the doctor's office while vibration pads were strapped to the body at the site of pain. Sessions continued for several weeks, after which pain reduction was measured.

A new study is being designed to investigate whether the vibration also reduces pain in patients suffering from ruptured disks in the lumbar region of the back. Three hundred male patients are available for the new study.

Part A: Describe an appropriate design for the new study. Your discussion should briefly address the treatments used, methods of treatment assignment, and the variables that should be measured. Do not describe how the data are analyzed. (4 points)

Part B: Would you modify the new study design if, instead of 300 male patients, the study consisted of 150 male and 150 female patients? 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

Is this a test question?