Higher PMS Predicts Moderately Lower Distress for Population
Contents

Variables

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PMS 23
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Distress 1349

Categories

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Symptoms 13336
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Emotions 2028

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Your Data

Tags

Low Confidence
Weak Effect Size
Negative Relationship
Population Study
cause image gauge image effect image
Participants reported a 32.5% average decrease in Distress following above average PMS.
Abstract

Abstract

Distress was generally 1.2% higher than average after 3 out of 5 of PMS per 24 hours.

Aggregated data from 1 study participants suggests with a LOW degree of confidence (p=0.399, 95% CI -2.087 to 1.431) that PMS has a moderately negative predictive relationship (R=-0.328) with Distress.

The highest quartile of Distress measurements were observed following an average 2.5 out of 5 PMS.

The lowest quartile of Distress measurements were observed following an average 2.78 out of 5 of PMS.

After an onset delay of 0 seconds, Distress is typically 1% higher than average over the 24 hours following around 2.78 out of 5 PMS.

Objective

Objective

The objective of this study is to determine the nature of the relationship (if any) between PMS and Distress. Additionally, we attempt to determine the PMS values most likely to produce optimal Distress values.
Participant Instructions

Participant Instructions

Manual Recording Option

A Create a reminder for PMS here and record it daily by enabling notifications or using A the reminder inbox here .


Manual Recording Option

A Create a reminder for Distress here and record it daily by enabling notifications or using A the reminder inbox here .

Design

Design

This study is based on data donated by 1 participants. Thus, the study design is equivalent to the aggregation of 1 separate n=1 observational natural experiments.

Data Analysis

Data Analysis

PMS Pre-Processing

PMS measurement values below 1 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. PMS measurement values above 5 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. No missing data filling value was defined for PMS so any gaps in data were just not analyzed instead of assuming zero values for those times.

Distress Pre-Processing

Distress measurement values below 1 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. Distress measurement values above 5 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. No missing data filling value was defined for Distress so any gaps in data were just not analyzed instead of assuming zero values for those times.

Predictive Analytics

It was assumed that 0 seconds would pass before a change in PMS would produce an observable change in Distress.

It was assumed that PMS could produce an observable change in Distress for as much as 24 hours after the stimulus event.

Statistical Significance

Statistical Significance

Using a two-tailed t-test with alpha = 0.05, it was determined that the change in Distress is not statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. This suggests that the PMS value does not have a significant influence on the Distress value.

After treatment, a 32.5% decrease (0.0269 out of 5) from the mean baseline 2.28 out of 5 was observed. The relative standard deviation at baseline was 30.8%. The observed change was 0.0382192 times the standard deviation.

A common rule of thumb considers a change greater than twice the baseline standard deviation on two separate pre-post experiments may be considered significant. This occurrence would have only a 5% likelihood of resulting from random fluctuation (a p-value < 0.05).

Data Sources

Data Sources

PMS data was primarily collected using QuantiModo. QuantiModo allows you to easily track mood, symptoms, or any outcome you want to optimize in a fraction of a second. You can also import your data from over 30 other apps and devices. QuantiModo then analyzes your data to identify which hidden factors are most likely to be influencing your mood or symptoms.

Distress data was primarily collected using QuantiModo. QuantiModo allows you to easily track mood, symptoms, or any outcome you want to optimize in a fraction of a second. You can also import your data from over 30 other apps and devices. QuantiModo then analyzes your data to identify which hidden factors are most likely to be influencing your mood or symptoms.

Limitations

Limitations

As with any human experiment, it was impossible to control for all potentially confounding variables. Correlation does not necessarily imply causation. We can never know for sure if one factor is definitely the cause of an outcome. However, lack of correlation definitely implies the lack of a causal relationship. Hence, we can with great confidence rule out non-existent relationships. For instance, if we discover no relationship between mood and an antidepressant this information is just as or even more valuable than the discovery that there is a relationship.

We can also take advantage of several characteristics of time series data from many subjects to infer the likelihood of a causal relationship if we do find a correlational relationship. The criteria for causation are a group of minimal conditions necessary to provide adequate evidence of a causal relationship between an incidence and a possible consequence.

Criteria For Causal Inference

Strength (A.K.A. Effect Size)

A small association does not mean that there is not a causal effect, though the larger the association, the more likely that it is causal. There is a moderately negative (R = -0.328) relationship between PMS and Distress.

Consistency (A.K.A. Reproducibility)

Consistent findings observed by different persons in different places with different samples strengthens the likelihood of an effect. Furthermore, in accordance with the law of large numbers (LLN), the predictive power and accuracy of these results will continually grow over time. 5 paired data points were used in this analysis. Assuming that the relationship is merely coincidental, as the participant independently modifies their PMS values, the observed strength of the relationship will decline until it is below the threshold of significance. To it another way, in the case that we do find a spurious correlation, suggesting that banana intake improves mood for instance, one will likely increase their banana intake. Due to the fact that this correlation is spurious, it is unlikely that you will see a continued and persistent corresponding increase in mood. So over time, the spurious correlation will naturally dissipate.

Specificity

Causation is likely if a very specific population at a specific site and disease with no other likely explanation. The more specific an association between a factor and an effect is, the bigger the probability of a causal relationship.

Temporality

The effect has to occur after the cause (and if there is an expected delay between the cause and expected effect, then the effect must occur after that delay). The confidence in a causal relationship is bolstered by the fact that time-precedence was taken into account in all calculations.

Biological Gradient

Greater exposure should generally lead to greater incidence of the effect. However, in some cases, the mere presence of the factor can trigger the effect. In other cases, an inverse proportion is observed: greater exposure leads to lower incidence.

Plausibility

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between cause and effect is critical. This is where human brains excel.

Based on our responses so far,

0 humans feel that there is a plausible mechanism of action for a relationship between PMS and Distress.

0 humans feel that any relationship observed between PMS and Distress is coincidental.

Coherence

Coherence between epidemiological and laboratory findings increases the likelihood of an effect. It will be very enlightening to aggregate this data with the data from other participants with similar genetic, diseasomic, environmentomic, and demographic profiles.

Experiment

All of human life can be considered a natural experiment. Occasionally, it is possible to appeal to experimental evidence.

Analogy

The effect of similar factors may be considered.

Plausibility

Plausibility

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between cause and effect is critical. This is where human brains excel. Based on our responses so far, 0 humans feel that there is a plausible mechanism of action and 0 feel that any relationship observed between PMS and Distress is coincidental.

Relationship Statistics

Property Value
Cause Variable Name PMS
Effect Variable Name Distress
Sinn Predictive Coefficient 0.031213327746369
Confidence Level LOW
Confidence Interval 1.759286675402
Forward Pearson Predictive Coefficient -0.328
Critical T Value 2.015
Average PMS Over Previous 24 hours Before ABOVE Average Distress 2.5 out of 5
Average PMS Over Previous 24 hours Before BELOW Average Distress 2.78 out of 5
Duration of Action 24 hours
Effect Size moderately negative
Number of Paired Measurements 5
Optimal Pearson Product 0.10721015387554
P Value 0.39875365388769
Statistical Significance 0.0046
Strength of Relationship 1.759286675402
Study Type population
Analysis Performed At 2021-08-30
Number of Participants 1

PMS Info

Property Value
Variable Name PMS
Aggregation Method MEAN
Analysis Performed At 2020-10-09
Duration of Action 24 hours
Kurtosis 1.4112835216731
Maximum Allowed Value 5 out of 5
Mean 3.3611 out of 5
Median 3.3333333333333 out of 5
Minimum Allowed Value 1 out of 5
Number of Aggregate Predictors 10
Number of Aggregate Outcomes 13
Number of Measurements 5
Number of Measurements (including those generated by tagged, joined, or child variables) 5
Public true
Onset Delay 0 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.26701366312662
Unit 1 to 5 Rating
User Variables 4
UPC 033674793008
Variable Category Symptoms
Variable ID 89988
Variance 0.21388888888889

Distress Info

Property Value
Variable Name Distress
Aggregation Method MEAN
Analysis Performed At 2020-09-17
Duration of Action 24 hours
Kurtosis 2.8522483497534
Maximum Allowed Value 5 out of 5
Mean 2.4777342286981 out of 5
Median 2.4229733332357 out of 5
Minimum Allowed Value 1 out of 5
Number of Aggregate Predictors 1209
Number of Aggregate Outcomes 140
Number of Measurements 33096
Number of Measurements (including those generated by tagged, joined, or child variables) 32968
Public true
Onset Delay 0 seconds
Standard Deviation 0.53719668856315
Unit 1 to 5 Rating
User Variables 1486
UPC 647297398818
Variable Category Emotions
Variable ID 1305
Variance 0.6312526863217

Principal Investigator

Cite This Study

APA Format
Sinn, M. P. (2026). Higher PMS Predicts Moderately Lower Distress for Population. The Journal of Citizen Science. https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-89988-effect-1305-population-study
BibTeX
@misc{sinn_cause_89988_effect_1305_population_study_2026,
  author = {Sinn, Mike P.},
  title = {Higher PMS Predicts Moderately Lower Distress for Population},
  year = {2026},
  publisher = {The Journal of Citizen Science},
  url = {https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-89988-effect-1305-population-study},
  note = {Accessed: January 3, 2026}
}
Chicago/Turabian
Sinn, Mike P. "Higher PMS Predicts Moderately Lower Distress for Population." The Journal of Citizen Science. Accessed January 3, 2026. https://studies.crowdsourcingcures.org/study/cause-89988-effect-1305-population-study.