Compensatory Rivalry

Authors
Affiliations

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

When patients are aware of which treatment group they are in, researchers hope they do not change their behavior. Unfortunately this is not always the case, patients may become discouraged (Resentful demoralization) or work extra hard (Compensatory rivalry).

Compensatory rivalry refers to when patients and work extra hard to compensate for what they perceive to be a “inferior treatment.”

ex) pt assigned to an exercise only control group are aware that they will not receive additional hands on treatment with shoulder mobilization which is given to pts assigned to the experimental group (exercise + mobilization) Could underestimate effects of combined txt if pts in control group seek additional chiro care to compensate for lack of hands on treatment

Impact on conclusions

Compensatory rivalry underestimates true treatment effects

Citation

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