Sample size
Sample size estimation was based on figures derived from a
well-designed randomised controlled trial (Ford et al. 2004,
p. 42). In this trial, serum phosphorus level was
166 043 in the experimental group and 214 054 in
the control group after the intervention. Using power of
90% and two-tailed significant level of 5% led to 19 participants
in each group. The formula used was as follows:
n ¼ ðZ1a=2 þ Z1bÞ2 ðr21
þ r22
Þ=d2
Z1a=2 ¼ Zð1005=2Þ ¼ Z0975 ¼ 196;Z1b ¼ Z090 ¼ 1282:
Taking into account a possible dropout rate of 20%, the
number of participants to be randomised must be 46 (23 in
each group), but in fact we recruited 80 participants (40 in
each group) finally.