LONGITUDINAL STUDIES OF COGNITIVE AGING: STUDY DESIGNS TO OPTIMIZE STATISTICAL POWER TO DETECT COGNITIVE DECLINE
2024
Improving Cognitive Aging Studies with Run-In Periods
Sample size: 1094
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Duehring Jasmin, Ong Lawrence, Edland Steven
Primary Institution: University of California San Diego
Hypothesis
Can a run-in period improve the efficiency and statistical power of longitudinal cohort studies of cognitive aging?
Conclusion
Incorporating a run-in period can significantly enhance the ability to detect cognitive decline in aging studies.
Supporting Evidence
- A run-in period can improve the efficiency of clinical trials.
- The signal-to-noise ratio in annual change was 2.4 times higher with a run-in period.
- An 80% reduction in sample size is needed to detect a given effect with a run-in period.
Takeaway
If researchers let participants get used to the tests before starting, they can find out more about how people's thinking changes as they age.
Methodology
The study analyzed data from participants with aMCI and compared results with and without a run-in period.
Participant Demographics
Mean age 74.8, range 60-97, 44.1% female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=8e-5
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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