Question

15.34 Treating insomnia. Belsomra is a drug prescribed for the treatment of insomnia. A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial found that patients assigned to take Belsomra for three months fell asleep 35 minutes faster, on average, than they did before the study started—a statistically significant improvement. By comparison, patients assigned to take a placebo for three months fell asleep 27 minutes faster than they did originally. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (reported as P<0.01).14

1. Would you consider an effect size of falling asleep 35 minutes sooner important in the context of patients suffering from insomnia? Explain your answer.
2. The difference between taking Belsomra and taking a placebo was, on average, falling asleep 8 minutes faster with Belsomra. Would you consider an effect size of 8 minutes important in the context of patients suffering from insomnia? Explain your answer.
3. Which limitation of statistical significance does this study illustrate?

Answer 1

Solution:

1. Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. People with insomnia

The study shows that, the difference between the two groups before and atfter applying drug was statistically significant (reported as P<0.01).14

Here, P value =0.14 < 0.01(level of significance)

That means the drug Belsomra has significant positive effect on the patients sleep because on average it increases to fell asleep 35 minutes faster.

2. Here, P value =0.14 < 0.01(level of significance)

That means the drug Belsomra has significant positive effect on the patients sleep because on average it increases to fell asleep 8 minutes faster than the placebo.

Thus it can be concluded that effect size of 8 minutes is important in this context and to use of the drug is also depends on the other factors such as its cost,its availability and all other. It would be suggested that the drug Beanlsomra should preferred only if it has low cost and if easily available. Otherwise placebo is a very good option than the Belsomra.

3. Limitation of statistical significance for this study is depends on the subjects under the studies, other environmental factors such as temperature, subjects how to responds study and also the cost and availability of drug.