Introduction to hypotheses testing

The statistical concepts discussed in this review are intended as a basis to understanding concepts that will be presented in PHYSICAL THERAPY during the coming months. The basis for hypotheses testing is probability theory. When a null hypothesis is either accepted or rejected, researchers are stating the probability that a specific treatment will be more or equally effective in a specific population under stated conditions. This ability to predict, based on appropriate application and interpretation of statistical tests, ultimately improves patient care.