Modified Rapid Critical Appraisal: Quasi-Experimental Studies*

*Substantive content is from Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt (2019).

PICOT: In patients with Alzheimer’s disease (P), does the implementation of music therapy (I) compared to
no music therapy (C) effect the patients behavioral and psychological symptoms (O)?

ARTICLE CITATION: Ledger, A. J., & Baker, F. A. (2007). An investigation of long-term effects of group music
therapy on agitation levels of people with Alzheimer’s Disease. Aging & Mental Health, 11(3), 330–338.

A quasi-experimental study is when there is an intervention that is manipulated intentionally to determine

effects of the intervention. There is typically no randomization, and there may or may not be a control
group or comparison group. Some quasi-experimental studies only do a post intervention data collection.

Variable Identification as they relate to your PICOT:

1. Identify the independent variable(s): group music therapy

2. Identify the dependent variable(s): agitation

VALIDITY

Criterion Yes No Unknown Comments

Was there a comparison X
or control group?

X
If a control or
comparison group was
used, were the
participants in each of
the groups similar on
demographic and
baseline clinical
variables?

If hypothesis/es were X
stated, were they
derived from an
identified conceptual or

[Type here]
 Criterion Yes No Unknown Comments
theoretical framework?
If there was a control or The control group
comparison group, did
X
did not receive
participants in this treatment, other
group receive a than the normal
reasonable care provided by
treatment/care to the the nursing home
exposure or to all patients.
intervention of interest
given to the
intervention group? (as
opposed to no
treatment)

Were Extraneous
extraneous/confoundin
X
variables were
g variables identified found in the
and controlled? study, however,
there was not a
way to control
several of them.
This included use
of certain
medications.
X
Did the researchers
indicate that follow-up
assessments were
conducted long enough
to fully study the effects
of the intervention?

X
Were outcomes
measured with valid
and reliable
instruments?

X
Were appropriate
statistical analyses used
for the data gathered ?

RELIABILITY: What are the results?

 What was the treatment effect (effect size**) and the actual significance (p value) of the
outcomes of major interest as they relate to your PICOT? Briefly describe (complete sentences
not needed) the results.

1. Treatment/effect size and outcome variables: unknown

2. Brief description of results:

 There were no significant differences between the two groups
 The reason for this could possibly be that music therapy only has immediate
benefits
 There are multiple uncontrolled variables and different instances that could have
caused agitation in these patients
 Patients showing agitation prior to music therapy had a decrease in behaviours
during and after music therapy

**NOTE: The effect size is a coefficient that measures the strength between two variables, and runs
between 0.00 to 1.00; the higher the number, the stronger the relationship or difference is (Statistics
Solutions, 2019).

APPLICABILITY TO PRACTICE

Yes No Unknown Comments

Was the study population X
similar to my own?
Based on my appraisal of this X
study, is it appropriate for
me to implement the
findings in my practice
setting?

Under Comments briefly

explain why it would not be
appropriate.

a. Will the results help me in caring for my population of interest?

 Yes

b. Explain why or why not.

 I currently care for older adults, many with Alzheimer’s disease. I will also be caring for
older adults when I become a FNP. This information will allow me to provide
interventions other than pharmalogical ones in order to control agitation and other
behavioral symptoms. This information will allow me to educate patients and their
 families in regard to group music therapy.

c. Based on my assessment of the patient population and clinical setting, are there any
contraindications or circumstances (including organizational culture, values) that would
inhibit me from implementing the treatment in my practice?
 No

d. Please briefly explain.

*Substantive content of appraisal criteria are derived from Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019.

Melnyk, B.M. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2019). Evidence-based practice in nursing and healthcare: A
guide to best practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.

Statistics Solutions. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.statisticssolutions.com/statistical-

analyses-effect-size/