Clinical significance refers to the practical or real-world importance of the results obtained from a research study or an intervention. It assesses whether the findings of a study or the outcomes of an intervention have meaningful implications for the individuals or populations being studied or treated. In other words, clinical significance addresses whether the observed effects are large enough to be relevant and useful in a practical context, rather than just statistically significant.
Statistical significance and clinical significance are two different concepts:
Statistical significance: It refers to whether the results of a study are unlikely to have occurred by chance. When researchers report that their findings are statistically significant, it means that the observed effect is not likely due to random variation or sampling error.
Clinical significance: It focuses on the magnitude and importance of the effect in a practical sense. Even if a study finds a statistically significant effect, it may not necessarily have a meaningful impact on the lives of the individuals involved or on the broader population.
For example, in a clinical trial studying the effectiveness of a new medication for depression, the researchers may find a statistically significant improvement in depression scores for the group receiving the medication compared to the placebo group. However, the magnitude of this improvement may be so small that it is not considered clinically significant. In such cases, although the results are statistically significant, the medication may not provide a meaningful benefit to patients in real-world terms.
When interpreting research findings, it is crucial to consider both statistical significance and clinical significance. Researchers and clinicians need to weigh the practical importance of the results and determine whether they are meaningful and relevant for making decisions in clinical practice or for informing public health policies.