Journal Article Summary:The investigation by Cook et al.

The investigation by Cook et al. (2020) explored the changes in the elimination and resurgence of alcohol-maintained behavior in rats and the effects of naltrexone. The article by Cook and others (2020) was chosen for this summary because it is based on empirical, quantitative research in my career specialization of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). It also makes use of the one-way ANOVA test and provides extensive insight and practice concerning statistical analysis and interpretation.

Section 1: Data File Description

Cook and others (2020) explored the dynamics of the variations in the elimination and resurgence of alcohol-maintained conduct in rodents and the effects of naltrexone. In this regard, the researchers set out to find out about some factors that may improve the effectiveness of behavioral therapies among persons with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) to reduce resurgence rates. To this end, Cook and others (2020) employed an experimental design for the study.  The independent variable, in this case, was naltrexone, while the dependent variable was changes in the elimination and resurgence of alcohol-maintained behavior. The corresponding scales of measurement for the independent and dependent variables are nominal and ratio. The sample size of the data set was N = 11. This article is relevant because it provides valuable lessons for professionals in MAT about the bet therapies that reduce alcohol resurgence.  

Section 2: Testing Assumptions

Some of the assumptions of the one-way ANOVA include firstly, that each sample follows a normal distribution, second, that each sample is drawn from independent samples, third is that the variance of the data in the different groups is similar. Fourth, the dependent variable can be quantified. The article fails to mention consideration for any of these assumptions when applying the statistical test. Neither do the authors test whether the data meet these assumptions before using the one-way ANOVA test. Consequently, this article did not mention any tests for these limitations; this can be considered one of the limitations of this study.

Section 3: Research Question, Hypotheses

The research question of the study was: Are adjunctive pharmacotherapies (such as) a means to facilitate behavioral treatments and block resurgence and alcohol maintained behavior? The null hypothesis is that the use of naltrexone as a pharmacotherapy is not an effective behavioral therapy that blocks resurgence and alcohol continued behavior. The alternative hypothesis is that the use of naltrexone as a pharmacotherapy is an effective behavioral treatment that prevents resurgence and alcohol maintained behavior.

Section 4: Interpretation

The results indicated that a significant difference existed across the results of the groups, as seen in phase 1: (F(7, 154) = 13.66, p < .0001, phase 2: (F(1, 20) = 37.55, p < .0001, and phase 3: F(1, 20) = 8.01, p < .05.  In this regard, the null hypothesis can be rejected because the use of naltrexone as a pharmacotherapy is an effective behavioral treatment that blocks resurgence and alcohol maintained behavior.

Section 5: Conclusion

As Cook et al. (2002) established, the study demonstrated the usefulness of pharmacotherapies for the management of AUD, particularly those that can enable the eradication of alcohol-maintained conduct when used together with treatments that use alternative nonalcoholic reinforcement, such as contingency management and community reinforcement methodologies. The strength of this investigation results from the rigor of the analysis, and thus the data is precise and reliable. However, the study’s limitation is that the sample size was small, and the findings may not be generalizable to larger populations.

References

Cook, J. E., Chandler, C., Rüedi-Bettschen, D., Taylor, I., Patterson, S., & Platt, D. M. (2020).    Changes in the elimination and resurgence of alcohol-maintained behavior in rats and the         effects of naltrexone. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 34(1), 10.