Bias

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Systematic error is responsible for bias¹

Blinding

• Lack of blinding of investigators: Can result in experimenter bias
• Lack of blinding of patients: can result in
  • Diffusion of treatment effects
  • Compensatory rivalry
  • Resentful demoralization

Lack of blinding for PATIENTS can result in. Lack of blinding of CLINICIANS who deliver the intervention can result in compensatory equalization or diffusion of treatment effects.

References

1.

Sim J, Arnell P. Measurement validity in physical therapy research. Physical Therapy. 1993;73(2):102-110; discussion 110-115. doi:10.1093/ptj/73.2.102