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Data extraction and statistical errors: A quantitative critique of Gumley, Braehler, and Macbeth (2014)
Donald R Williams1, Paul-Christian Bürkner2
1Animal Behavior Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, California, USA.
Objective:
While oxytocin has been identified as having therapeutic properties for schizophrenia, the emerging evidence has been mixed which has resulted in meta-analytic reviews. We identified several errors in one such meta-analysis. Here, we highlight these errors, demonstrate the conclusions were incorrect, and state the importance of this report.
Methods:
We reproduced the methods of Gumley, Braehler, and Macbeth (), including: outcomes (positive, negative, and total symptoms, as well as general psychopathology) and meta-analytic estimates for fixed and random effect models.
Results:
Whereas Gumley, Braehler, and Macbeth () reported oxytocin had significant effects on three of four outcomes, we show that all effects were non-significant.
Conclusions:
Based on these null results, we hope this report encourages a re-evaluation of intranasal oxytocin as a treatment for schizophrenia.