Question

So for a paper I need to determine strengths and weaknesses of research methods in different articles, but I don't exactly know what I should be listing as strengths and weaknesses when assessing the methods, results, and conclusions. I need help breaking down this methods paragraph to understand what to be looking for.

"In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 30 clinical centers, we randomly assigned patients with the Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (age range, 2 to 55 years) who had had two or more drop seizures per week during a 28-day baseline period to receive cannabidiol oral solution at a dose of either 20 mg per kilogram of body weight (20-mg cannabidiol group) or 10 mg per kilogram (10-mg cannabidiol group) or matching placebo, administered in two equally divided doses daily for 14 weeks. The primary outcome was the percentage change from baseline in the frequency of drop seizures (average per 28 days) during the treatment period.

A total of 225 patients were enrolled; 76 patients were assigned to the 20-mg cannabidiol group, 73 to the 10-mg cannabidiol group, and 76 to the placebo group. During the 28-day baseline period, the median number of drop seizures was 85 in all trial groups combined. The median percent reduction from baseline in drop-seizure frequency during the treatment period was 41.9% in the 20-mg cannabidiol group, 37.2% in the 10-mg cannabidiol group, and 17.2% in the placebo group (P=0.005 for the 20-mg cannabidiol group vs. placebo group, and P=0.002 for the 10-mg cannabidiol group vs. placebo group). The most common adverse events among the patients in the cannabidiol groups were somnolence, decreased appetite, and diarrhea; these events occurred more frequently in the higher-dose group. Six patients in the 20-mg cannabidiol group and 1 patient in the 10-mg cannabidiol group discontinued the trial medication because of adverse events and were withdrawn from the trial. Fourteen patients who received cannabidiol (9%) had elevated liver aminotransferase concentrations.

Among children and adults with the Lennox–Gastaut syndrome, the addition of cannabidiol at a dose of 10 mg or 20 mg per kilogram per day to a conventional antiepileptic regimen resulted in greater reductions in the frequency of drop seizures than placebo. Adverse events with cannabidiol included elevated liver aminotransferase concentrations."

Sorry for how long winded this is but any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

A trial conducted in 30 clinical centres for Lennox -Gastaut syndrome patients.

they gave cannabidial for these patients (includes children and adults 2 to55 yrs age) .there are 3 groups

total 225 patients.

76 patients are in 20mg cannabidial group (20mg per kilogram of body weight)

73 patients are in 10mg cannabidial group(10mg per kilogram of body weight)

76 patients are in placebo group

administration of dose is 2 equally divided doses in 14 weeks.

RESULTS are ;---

-- 2 or more drop seizures per weeks during 28 day baseline period

----85 patients drop seizures in all trial group.

---got positive results   41.9% in 20mg cannabidial group

37.2% in 10mg cannabidial group

17.2% in placebo group

---P=0.005 for 20mg cannnabidial Vs placebo group

P=0.002 for cannabidial Vs placebo group

---In cannabidial groups patients got adverse effects of somnolence,decreased appetite,diarrhoea

--It occurs more frequency in higher dose group.

----In 20mg cannabidial group 6 patients & 10mg cannbidial group 1patient withdrawn from the trial.

Because of adverse events of the Cannabidial.

----14 patients(9%) elevated liver aminotransferase concentration in cannabidial groups.

----From this trials ,they took cannabidial for conventional antiepileptic Regimen,because of the greater reduction in the frequency of drop seizures than placebo.

----regimen is giving for children and adults (2-55yrs) with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

----doses of cannabidial 10mg or 20mg/kg of patients.

----adverse events with cannabidial included elevated liver aminotransferase concentration.

CONCLUSION

STRENGTH ; cannabidial regimen drops the frequency of seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

weakness : cannabidial increases liver amino transferase concentration.

it's effects make somnolence ,decreased appetite and diarrhoea.