Table 5.
Descriptive and inference statistical outcomes for the pain intensity variables. For each outcome, omnibus test characteristics, in case of significance post-hoc test characteristics, as well as means (and standard deviations), and effect sizes are displayed.
| Change score (difference) for outcome | Statistical parameter | Control group | Acupuncture group | Medical training group | Combination group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean pain intensity (points) T0–T3 | Mean (SD); % (SD) | −0.6 (1.6); −11 (29) % | −1.6 (2.1); −28 (38) % | −1 (2.2); −19 (40) % | −2.1 (1.4); −38 (25) % |
| Kruskal-Wallis χ2 (p-value) | 9.4 (.024) | ||||
| Post-hoc Mann-Whitney-U t-value (p-value adjusted)* | Comparator | 1.5 (.24) | .43 (.67) | 3.0 (.012) | |
| Cohen’s d * | Comparator | −0.83 | −0.33 | −1.25 | |
| Mean pain intensity (points) T0–T4 | Mean (SD); % (SD) | −.98 (1.4); −18 (25) % | −1.7 (1.8); −30 (32) % | −2.4 (1.8); −44 (33) % | −1.5 (2.1); −27 (38) % |
| Kruskal-Wallis χ2 (p-value) | 2.5 (.48), | ||||
| Maximal pain intensity (points) T0–T3 | Mean (SD); % (SD) | −0.6 (1.2); −7 (14) % | −1.9 (2.8); −23 (35) % | −1.3 (2.4); −17 (31) % | −2.1 (1.7); −25 (20) % |
| Kruskal-Wallis χ2 (p-value) | 8.5 (.036) | ||||
| Post-hoc Mann-Whitney-U t-value (p-value adjusted)* | Comparator | 1.9 (.11) | .92 (.35) | 2.9 (.014) | |
| Cohen’s d * | Comparator | −0.87 | −0.49 | −0.99 | |
| Maximal pain intensity (points) T0–T4 | Mean (SD); % (SD) | 1.4 (2.0); 25 (36) % | .57 (2.9); 10 (52) % | .05 (2.7); 1 (50) % | .9 (3); 16 (55) % |
| Kruskal-Wallis χ2 (p-value) | 4.3 (.23) | ||||
| Minimal pain intensity [points] T0–T3 | Mean (SD); % (SD) | −0.023 (2.3); 0 (50) % | −0.91 (1.8); −18 (37) % | −0.27 (2.6); − 6 (54) % | −1.7 (1.5); −35 (31) % |
| Kruskal-Wallis χ2 (p-value) | 8.7 (.033) | ||||
| Post-hoc Mann-Whitney U t-value (p-value adjusted)* | Comparator | 1.3 (.36) | 0.21 (83) | 2.6 (.03) | |
| Cohen’s d * | Comparator | −0.81 | −0.22 | −1.5 | |
| Minimal pain intensity (points) T0–T4 | Mean (SD); % (SD) | −.05 (2.2); −1 (40) % | −1.7 (2.2); −30 (39) % | −1.5 (2.2); −28 (41) % | −1.1 (1.6); −20 (29) % |
| Kruskal-Wallis χ2 (p-value) | 5.7 (.13) | ||||
*Many-one comparison; always contrasted to the control group (standardised mean difference or pairwise comparison). Significant comparisons are highlighted in bold.