Research Critique, Part 2: Critique of Quantitative Research Article
Debra Benton
Grand Canyon University
Introduction to Nursing Research
NRS 433V
August 26, 2012
Research Critique, Part 2: Critique of Quantitative Research Article
The population who are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) often experience daytime drowsiness and are at risk for ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, hypertension, and other vascular related problems (Hsu et al., 2007). There are several treatment options for people with OSA, which are weight loss, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), dental appliances, and surgical procedure. This study evaluates patients who have undergone uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to determine improvement and changes in surgical parameters of their upper airway using quantitative videoendoscopic computer-assisted measurement (CAM) in hopes of showing improvement in the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI).
Protection of Human Participants
The authors describe this study as prospective in design. The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of UPPP, a surgical procedure for OSA, on patients who had surgery six months prior (Hsu et al., 2007). It is presumed every patient gave consent for the surgical procedure. An assumption may be made that subjects were voluntary for the post surgical study because there was no mention of further consents. It is not stated that this study had approval from an institutional review board from the agency. The 19 male patients participated in overnight pre and postoperative non-invasive polysomnnographic studies (PSG). These tests include the Epworth sleepiness scale recording, CAM of upper airway, and bio-data recording. PSG entails electroencephalogram (EEG), submental electromyogram (EMG), anterior tibialis EMG, electrocardiogram (ECG), thoraco-abdominal motion, oronasal airflow (expired CO2), arterial oxygen saturation with pulse
References: Friedman, M. (2009). Sleep apnea and snoring: Surgical and non-surgical therapy. Elsevier Health Sciences. Hsu, P., Tan, A., Tan, B., Gan, E., Chan, Y., Blair, R., & Lu, P. (2007). Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty outcome assessment with quantitative computer-assisted videoendoscopic airway analysis. Act Oto-Laryngologica, 127, 65-70. McDonald, J. H. (2009). Handbook of Biological Statistics (2nd ed.). Baltimore, Maryland: Sparky House Publishing.