The only meaning of the term "statistical significance" (p

The only meaning of the term "statistical significance" (p<.05) is that the result obtained did not occur by chance.

Many definitions of clinical significance have been proposed, including this: "...the extent of change, whether the change makes a real difference to subject lives......." (Ref: LeFort SM. The statistical versus clinical significance debate. Image J Nurs Surg 1993;25:5762.)

Thus, a result might be highly statistically significant, (i.e the differences observed are "real") yet be so small as to be of no pratcical relevance to real patients.