Study characteristics influence the efficacy of substance abuse treatments: A meta-analysis of medications for alcohol use disorder

Clinical researchers have long recognized that study characteristics can influence estimates of treatment efficacy (i.e., the difference between active and control condition outcomes) (Del Re et al., 2013a; Etter et al., 2007; Yildiz et al., 2011). However, which and how much study characteristics predict outcomes is unclear. Knowledge of which specific characteristics lead to increased or decreased effect sizes of treatments and whether effects are due to changes in the active or placebo condition should improve interpretation of findings from clinical trials and inform researchers of the potential impact of methodological decisions.
Source: Drug and Alcohol Dependence - Category: Addiction Authors: Tags: Review Source Type: research