4.2. Limitations
ill
First, it must be noted that the previously calculated number of cases, N=200 subjects, was not met. Nevertheless, based on the final sample size of 143 subjects, significant results with a medium effect size were achieved in the analysis of the primary outcome (interaction effect in mixed ANOVA). Furthermore, other studies have yielded comparable results with a similar sample size [The representative nature of the results with no randomization is potentially limited; however, randomization was not feasible in the context of regular curricular courses.Also, it must be noted that there is no German study validating the MICA-4 scale. Since this scale appeared especially suitable for asking questions at the time of data collection and the English validation study presented satisfactory results, we made the decision to use it. According to the authors, the MICA-4 scale was translated in an appropriate manner (two translators, including subsequent reverse translation). In addition to this, we were also able to demonstrate a Cronbach's α of .66 in our reliability analysis at TIn regard to the assessment of the assumptions required for the analytical tests used, it is worth mentioning that the MICA-4 scale and the Rosenberg scale both entail ordinally scaled Likert scales, which according to some authors should be analyzed non-parametrically [Furthermore, within the scope of the present study it is only possible to make a general statement regarding the effect of the complex intervention during the psychosomatic practical block on the stigmatization of the mentally ill by medical students. Although a significant reduction in stigmatization of the mentally ill was visible as a result of participation in the practical block, it is not clear what this specifically correlates with based on the collected data (see table 6 In addition to this, the stigmatization only tended to differ between the groups at the end of the practical block despite the different degrees of stigma reduction during the week; a significant difference was not visible yet at this point (see table 4 