Critical Appraisal of the Research Article

Running Head: CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE RESEARCH ARTICLES
CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE RESEARCH ARTICLES
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE RESEARCH ARTICLES
Article 1:
Wan, L. H., Zhang, X. P., You, L. M., Ruan, H. F., & Chen, S. X. (2018). The
Efficacy of a Comprehensive Reminder System to Improve Health Behaviors and
Blood Pressure Control in Hypertensive Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Randomized
Controlled Trial. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 33(6), 509-517.
Questions:
1. What type of sample method was used?
Answer: The research protocol (Wan et al, 2018) involved a distributed, parallel-group, evaluator-blinded
experimental design that included 174 patients with hypertensive ischemic stroke in hospital. Multi-
intervention research was performed (Grove & Gray, 2018) and it found that routine stroke treatment in 3
major general hospitals strengthened protective habits. Nevertheless, subjects within the research
population achieved a statistically meaningful benefit over the control group in optimal lifestyle practices
like, though not restricted to, conformity with blood pressure medication and management.
2. Was a power analysis done (a calculation - technique used to determine the risk in order to
decrease that risk)?
Answer: Yes, power analysis was performed as while analyzing the paper it was observed that when
separately, lifestyle habits and blood pressure were correlated with health hazards within the 2 controlled
group and the intervention group, respectively. None of the statistically important variations were found.
The intervention team knew their stoke vulnerability following therapy, and had greater regulation of
health actions or blood pressure than the control group.

2CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF THE RESEARCH ARTICLES
3. Critically appraise the sample size (adequate, explained in article)?
Answer: In 3 large general hospitals hypertensive ischemic stroke cases were drawn from 5 divisions of
neurology. Test coordinators recruited and allocated patients by the researcher / principal investigator (PI)
to either the control or intervention category according to random-sequence, computer-generated serial
numbers. The sample size was determined using variations in blood pressure between categories. In this
analysis the mean variation in SBP was usually distributed at 3 months post discharge with an average of
4.23 mm Hg and a total standard deviation of 8.7 mm Hg. Sealed, labeled, opaque envelopes held a
folded allocation file. Individuals that did not have patient communication performed data entry. All
participants in the sample provided treatment as normal, including clinical awareness during
hospitalization, a handout on stroke prevention, outpatient service follow-up by physicians and telephone
follow-up by nurses at 1 week and 1 month after discharge.
4. Critically appraise the sampling process (target population identified, inclusion and
exclusion criteria identified, acceptance or refusal to participate noted?
Answer: The study procedure (Grove & Gray, 2018) comprised a clustered, parallel-group, evaluator-
blinded trial design that included 174 hospitalized patients with hypertensive ischemic stroke. The
therapy consisted of mobile and face-to-face health conviction counseling, a patient schedule handbook,
and frequent electronic quick messaging services. Baseline data were later obtained, post 3 months after
discharge. The therapy participant demonstrated clinically, slightly improved lifestyle habits for physical
exercise, sleep, low-salt diet and commitment to medicine, three months after discharge. The intervention
participant has had statistically slightly lowered systolic blood pressure and decreased degree of
regulation of blood pressure. However, the behaviors including smoking and drug consumption were
observed to remain same.