Skip to main content
. 2020 Jan 29;15:201–212. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S219480

Table 1.

Distribution-Based Methods to Estimate the Minimal Clinically Important Difference

Method MCID Calculation
0.5SD 0.5*SDT0
SEM SDT0 √(1-r)
1.96SEM 1.96*(SDT0√(1-r))
MDC 1.96 x SEM x √2
ES (meanT1 – meanT0)/Inline graphic
ESNP IzI/(√n)

Notes: The test–retest reliability coefficients used were: LCQ ICC=0.92,28 CASA-Q - ICC cough symptoms =0.77, ICC cough impact =0.88, ICC sputum symptoms =0.80 and ICC sputum impact =0.82.23

Abbreviations: MCID, minimal clinically important difference; SEM, standard error measurement; SD, standard deviation; r, test–retest reliability coefficient; MDC, minimal detectable change; ES, effect size; ESNP, nonparametric effect sizes; T0, baseline; T1, after the pulmonary rehabilitation program; z, statistic test; n, number of total matched pairs.