Posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2018, at 19:34:05
In reply to Re: Experiencing success with TMS, posted by alexandra_k on August 28, 2018, at 19:22:18
I mean, you might go 'well, is it effective, then'. I mean, they can do a randomised double blind control trial on the machine.
They can follow their protocol but for half the people:
Give them the procedure to the wrong area / or give them some mild shocks so they think they are getting the treatment but they aren't.
Then see if there is a statistically signifciant difference between those 'placebo' people reporting feeling better or behaving better and the treatment group.
But... Suppose they do that. And suppose they find no statistical difference.
Then you go: So what. I don't care about whether the treatment helps populations, to whaever degree. I care about whether the treatment will help ME.
At which point: Science is no longer your friend.
And neither are the health insurance companies (who look at distribution of risks / benefits across populations).
It's like how I could well be the statistical outlier who would benefit more from an intensive course of psychoanalytic therapy... But those things are blind to that.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:1100401
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20180816/msgs/1100675.html