Question

The patient was randomized to receive integrated palliative care (early PC, n=110) or oncology care alone (Control, n=119). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Medical Health Outcomes Survey-Short Form (SF-36) were completed by the patients at baseline and 12 weeks post-intervention. SF-36 comprises two QoL indicators: physical (PCS)and Mental (MCS) component Summaries, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine the effect of the intervention by controlling for baseline data. The table below shows the test results for HADS and PCS (alpha =.05). Which of the following statements regarding the test results are correct?

Select one or more:

1. After adjusting the baseline PCS score, the Early PC group reported significant high PCS scores at week 12 than the Control group.

2. Compared to the control group, Early PC has significantly improved cancer patients’ Psychological distress at week 12 after adjusting baseline distress level.

3. After adjusting the baseline PCS score, the PCS scores at week 12 is not significantly different between Early PC and control groups.

4. Compared to the control group, Early PC did not significantly improve cancer patients’ psychological distress at week 12 after adjusting baseline distress level.

		Adjusted mean score	95% CI	Effect size Cohn d	P value
HADS-Total at week 12	control	10.48	9.58-11.38	0.300	.029
	Early PC	9.02	8.09-9.96
SF-36 PCS at week 12	Control	51.40	49.83-52.98
	Early PC	52.94	51.30-54.59	0.180	.183

Answer 1

Which of the following statements regarding the test results are correct?

B. Compared to the control group, Early PC has significantly improved cancer patients’ Psychological distress at week 12 after adjusting baseline distress level.