What characterizes a treatment as clinically significant?

A treatment is characterized as clinically significant when it has a palpable effect on everyday life. This means that the improvements or changes resulting from the treatment are meaningful and observable in the context of the patient's daily functioning and overall quality of life. For example, if a psychological intervention leads to noticeable enhancements in a person’s ability to maintain relationships, perform at work, or engage in enjoyable activities, it is considered clinically significant.

This concept goes beyond statistical measures or reliability; while they are important in establishing the efficacy of a treatment, clinical significance addresses the real-world implications of that efficacy. Recognizing that treatment outcomes must translate into real and beneficial changes for individuals highlights the importance of the therapeutic effect in practical, everyday scenarios. Thus, outcomes must significantly improve the patient's experience and well-being for the treatment to be labeled clinically significant.