2.4. Statistical Analysis
VCFs
The degree of effectiveness of core decompression performed in this trial has not been previously reported. Therefore, the required sample size was calculated assuming that an effect similar to that of VP performed in general VCFs can be expected. Considering a minimal clinically significant difference of 1.5 on the VAS, a standard deviation of 2.5 in both groups (with an alpha value of 0.05 and a beta value of 0.2), and a tracking loss rate of 0.1, a sample size of 49 individuals per group is required.For the primary analyses, we used an intention-to-treat strategy, and treatment effects and confidence intervals were calculated using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models with adjustment for baseline values of the outcome measure and age. In addition, we used analysis of variance for repeated measures (RM-ANOVA) to compare the ODI score, EQ-5D score, compression rate, and wedge angle. SPSS (version 27.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for all statistical analyses.