Incorrect statistical method in parallel-groups RCT led to unsubstantiated conclusions. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allison, David; Antoine, Lisa; George, Brandon
• Is Part Of: Lipids in health and disease. Volume 15:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 5
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Statistical analyses -- Vegetable -- Fruit -- Cholesterol -- Nutrition; Lipids -- Periodicals; Lipids in human nutrition -- Periodicals; Lipids -- Metabolism -- Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.3997
• DOI: 10.1186/s12944-016-0242-3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-511X

Abstract

Abstract The article by Aiso et al. titled "Compared with the intake of commercial vegetable juice, the intake of fresh fruit and komatsuna (Brassica rapa L. varperviridis ) juice mixture reduces serum cholesterol in middle-aged men: a randomized controlled pilot study" does not meet the expected standards ofLipids in Health and Disease . Although the article concludes that there are some significant benefits to their komatsuna juice mixture, these claims are not supported by the statistical analyses used. An incorrect procedure was used to compare the differences in two treatment groups over time, and a large number of outcomes were tested without correction; both issues are known to produce high rates of false positives, making the conclusions of the study unjustified. The study also fails to follow published journal standards regarding clinical trial registration and reporting.