Tianthong & Phupong (2018). A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial on the Efficacy of Ginger in the Prevention of Abdominal Distention in Post Cesarean Section Patients.
Q1
Vorapong Phupong M.D. and Wasinee Tianthong M.D. conducted the study .
Q2
The Ratchadapiseksompotch Fund, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, and study grant number RA59/052 supported the research (Phupong & Tianthong, 2018, p. 5).
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Q3
Tianthong and Phupong (2018) employed the experimentation strategy as the sought to evaluate the effectiveness of ginger on preventing abdominal distention on the patients.
Q4
The authors conducted an explanatory type of study
Q5
The research question is based on whether ginger is effective in preventing abdominal distention in patients recovering from the post-Cesarean section.
Q6
The dependent variable is the incidence of abdominal distention as measured using a diary chart while the dependent variable is the form of treatment used. In this case, there is the treatment group given the ginger capsule after every meal. The control group is provided with a placebo capsule.
Q7
The research hypothesis is that oral ginger capsule of 500 mg treatment has a positive impact in post-cesarean section women.
Q8
The most general null hypothesis is that the oral ginger capsule treatment does not affect the outcome in post-cesarean section women.
Q9
The study is strong on internal validity as the results are attributable to the independent variable and no other explanations. The random sampling method used helped in balancing the two groups and ensuring that unbiased participants were recruited. The random sampling helped in dealing with selection effects while the threats to internal validity were dealt with using the control group. According to the article, women between 18 and 40 within 24 hours postpartum were invited to take part in the study with all the participants giving informed consent. This led to 178 women being enrolled in the study. The study had a weak external validity as the sample is made up of volunteers.
Q10
The data for the primary outcome, the incidence of abdominal distention after undergoing the operation, was collected using the diary chart for 72 hours. The secondary outcome in the study was the severity of abdominal distention that was measured by a 100-mm visual analog scale for a similar period of 72 hours. The other outcomes were measured using the 5-point Likert-type scale.
Q11
The study is strong on internal validity as the selection effects are dealt with by the random sampling of the participants. The intrinsic threats are dealt with using the control group. The implication is that the results are attributable to the independent variable.
Q12
The ethical concerns were addressed in the current study by ensuring the Research Ethics Committee at Chulalongkorn University approved the study. They also ensured that all the participants gave informed consent.
Q13
The results of the study were that ginger does not decrease the incidence of postcesarean section abdominal distention. However, in comparison with placebo, ginger was more effective in relieving the severity of abdominal distention. Ginger improved the ability of the participants to eat. The first defecation after the operation was faster in the ginger group.
Q14
In the first P value of 0.328 is bigger than 0.05; the null hypothesis is retained. The null hypothesis that ginger does not have an impact on abdominal distention is also retained from the first through the third day, as the p values are 0.851, 0.517, and 0.104 respectively. The null hypothesis is rejected on the fourth day because there is evidence against the null hypothesis. The null hypothesis is also rejected when it comes to drug efficacy as ginger has an impact on drug efficacy.
Q15
The first limitation of the study was that it was a single center study and there was no evaluation of the quality of life. The second limitation was that the measurement of abdominal distention was evaluated by extracting information from history as well as physical examination.
References
Tianthong, W. & Phupong, V. (2018). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the efficacy of ginger in the prevention of abdominal distention in post-cesarean section patients. Nature . 8:6835, DOI:10.1038/s41598-018-25200-6.
