Dear editor,
We appreciate the interest of Moran et al. in our article [1] and their critical impulse regarding the sample size calculation [2]. In our paper, we present the original sample size calculation as done for the study protocol. This calculation of the number of cases is based on the work of Inoue [3] and Itou [4]. However, according to the pilot character of the study after the end of the intervention phase, we revised our strategy for data analyses based on the large number of measurements over time and the additional 3-month follow-up. Mixed models are more appropriate and have more statistical power when analyzing datasets with repeated measurements. We agree that the paper of Guo et al. [5] presents a reasonable way to calculate the sample size when using mixed models. The mentioned references by Kanis et al. [6, 7] have been cited in the introduction of the manuscript and do not relate to the sample size calculation. These references are obviously placed incorrectly according to our continuous revision of the manuscript. Thanks for this very helpful note, the faulty citation is very unpleasant for us and we would like to correct this herewith. The correct citations in the section “Statistical analysis” are the ones mentioned above by Inoue [3] and Itou [4].
References
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Jose M. Moran JM, Ignacio Aliaga I, Pedrera-Zamorano JD (2016) The importance of accurate sample size calculations in clinical trials. Arch Osteoporos 12. doi: 10.1007/s11657-016-0304-1
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Schiller, J. Effects of acupuncture on quality of life and pain in patients with osteoporosis—a pilot randomized controlled trial: reply to comments by Moran et al.. Arch Osteoporos 12, 9 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-016-0305-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11657-016-0305-0