Analysis of Article Related to Schizophrenia Treatment Essay (Critical Writing)

Exclusively available on Available only on IvyPanda® Made by Human No AI

Introduction

Searching for and developing alternative and effective methods for treating such a complicated disease as schizophrenia is the primary task of many medical scholars and organizations. In this regard, randomized controlled trials (RCT) are an integral scientific instrument that can assess the effectiveness of a new treatment by examining cause-effect relationships between an implemented intervention and outcome with reduced biases. This paper aims to analyze the article “Cannabidiol (CBD) as an adjunctive therapy in schizophrenia: A multicenter randomized controlled trial” by McGuire et al. (2018), primarily focusing on the statistical aspect.

Criticism

The objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety application of cannabidiol (CBD) as an adjunctive treatment for patients with schizophrenia. The researchers have explored CBD’s impact on cognitive performance, positive and negative psychotic signs, level of functioning, and the overall clinical impression of treating a psychiatrist. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial, participants who had partly responded to antipsychotic medication obtained either CBD or placebo as an auxiliary intervention for six weeks.

The number of participants, age structure, gender, race, the dose of received cannabidiol, the patients’ weight, height, waist circumference, and body mass index can be classified as independent variables. Herewith, the number of participants is a quantitative or discrete type of variable, gender is a binary variable, age structure belongs to the continuous type, and other variables are categorical. Symptom severity, cognitive performance, functioning level, and adverse events belong to dependent variables of categorical, ordinal type. The authors utilized descriptive and inferential statistics to describe input information and data retrieved from the findings. For example, the sample size includes 88 patients who met the inclusion criteria, of which 51 were male. Besides, 82 were white or Caucasian, three were black, and three – were from other races. The mean age accounted for 40.8 with a standard deviation (SD) – of 11.69, while BMI was 28.4 with an SD – of 5.35 (McGuire et al., 2018, p. 227).

Using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the researchers also analyzed the alterations in symptom severity from baseline to the treatment end. Specifically, in the cannabidiol group (N=42), the mean of change from baseline score comprised –11.2 with SD – 7.87, whereas, in the placebo group (N=44), the mean amounted to –8.8 with SD – 8.87. Hence, the treatment difference between the groups consisted of –2.8 with a p-value of – 0.133 (McGuire et al., 2018, p. 228). Similar measures for general functioning, symptoms, extrapyramidal signs, cognitive performance were conducted, and the most frequent adverse events were identified.

In conclusion, the article revealed the beneficial effect of CBD on patients with schizophrenia. In addition, the researchers specify that due to the independence of CBD from dopamine receptor antagonism, the substance can become a new class of treatment for the condition.

Reference

McGuire, P., Robson, P., Cubala, W. J., Vasile, D., Morrison, P. D., Barron, R., Taylor, A. & Wright, S. (2018).. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(3), 225-231.

More related papers Related Essay Examples
Cite This paper
You're welcome to use this sample in your assignment. Be sure to cite it correctly

Reference

IvyPanda. (2022, June 17). Analysis of Article Related to Schizophrenia Treatment. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-article-related-to-schizophrenia-treatment/

Work Cited

"Analysis of Article Related to Schizophrenia Treatment." IvyPanda, 17 June 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-article-related-to-schizophrenia-treatment/.

References

IvyPanda. (2022) 'Analysis of Article Related to Schizophrenia Treatment'. 17 June.

References

IvyPanda. 2022. "Analysis of Article Related to Schizophrenia Treatment." June 17, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-article-related-to-schizophrenia-treatment/.

1. IvyPanda. "Analysis of Article Related to Schizophrenia Treatment." June 17, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-article-related-to-schizophrenia-treatment/.


Bibliography


IvyPanda. "Analysis of Article Related to Schizophrenia Treatment." June 17, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/analysis-of-article-related-to-schizophrenia-treatment/.

If, for any reason, you believe that this content should not be published on our website, please request its removal.
Updated:
This academic paper example has been carefully picked, checked and refined by our editorial team.
No AI was involved: only quilified experts contributed.
You are free to use it for the following purposes:
  • To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
  • As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
  • As a template for you assignment
Privacy Settings

IvyPanda uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, enabling functionalities such as:

  • Basic site functions
  • Ensuring secure, safe transactions
  • Secure account login
  • Remembering account, browser, and regional preferences
  • Remembering privacy and security settings
  • Analyzing site traffic and usage
  • Personalized search, content, and recommendations
  • Displaying relevant, targeted ads on and off IvyPanda

Please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy for detailed information.

Required Cookies & Technologies
Always active

Certain technologies we use are essential for critical functions such as security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and ensuring the site operates correctly for browsing and transactions.

Site Customization

Cookies and similar technologies are used to enhance your experience by:

  • Remembering general and regional preferences
  • Personalizing content, search, recommendations, and offers

Some functions, such as personalized recommendations, account preferences, or localization, may not work correctly without these technologies. For more details, please refer to IvyPanda's Cookies Policy.

Personalized Advertising

To enable personalized advertising (such as interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. These partners may have their own information collected about you. Turning off the personalized advertising setting won't stop you from seeing IvyPanda ads, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive.

Personalized advertising may be considered a "sale" or "sharing" of the information under California and other state privacy laws, and you may have the right to opt out. Turning off personalized advertising allows you to exercise your right to opt out. Learn more in IvyPanda's Cookies Policy and Privacy Policy.

1 / 1