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Clinical significance: history, application, and current practice.
B M Ogles1, K M Lunnen, K Bonesteel
1Ohio University, Department of Psychology, 241 Porter Hall, Athens, OH 45701, USA. Ogles@oak.cats.ohiou.edu
Clinical Psychology Review
|April 6, 2001
Summary
This study reviews methods for evaluating the clinical significance of psychotherapy outcomes. It examines how to measure meaningful individual change beyond statistical significance in therapy research.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychotherapy Research
Background:
- The meaningfulness of psychotherapy outcomes is a critical issue in research.
- Historically, research focused on statistical significance comparing treated vs. control groups.
- Current trends emphasize the importance of assessing individual client change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history and evolution of the clinical significance concept in psychotherapy.
- To describe various statistical methods for defining improvement, recovery, and clinically significant change.
- To examine criticisms of current methods and their practical application in therapy research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of the history of clinical significance.
- Description of statistical methodologies for evaluating client change.
- Analysis of current criticisms and practical uses of these methods.
Main Results:
- Multiple statistical methods exist to assess the meaningfulness of client changes.
- The concept of clinical significance has evolved from group comparisons to individual change.
- There are ongoing discussions and criticisms regarding the application of these methods.
Conclusions:
- Understanding and applying methods for clinical significance is vital for psychotherapy research.
- Accurate measurement of individual change enhances the validity of treatment outcomes.
- Further refinement and consistent application of methods are needed for practical use.