A Pilot Study to Gather and Evaluate Data on Chiropractic Treatment of LBP and NP

Abstract

Objectives:This is a retrospectivenonexperimental observational study with a dual purpose: first,to gather and evaluate pre- and post-treatment statistics at a chiropractic university outpatient teachingclinic using customary instruments of pain and functionality measurement of Low Back Pain (LBP) viz.,the Revised Oswestry Disability Index (RODI) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI), the latter for associated Neck Pain (NP). The second purpose is to look into the effectivenessof treatment for indications of LBP and NP. Methods: The study analyzed patient reported outcomes (PRO) data abouttreatments that patients go through and theresulting improvement in RODI and NDI scores. The pre and post data were then analyzed. Results:The analysis showedeffectiveness in terms of improvements in functionality as quantified by decreases in RODIand NDI points. The global rate of effectiveness for all patients was computed. Repeated measures or paired samples student t tests done separately on RODI and NDI data indicated significant improvements in both LBP and NP (p-value = 0.0000). Evidence did not support linear correlation between age and baseRODI (r = 0.27, p-value = 0.08042). For the subgroup with associated NP linear correlation between RODI and NDI (both before and after treatment) was significant (p-value = 0.0000). Incremental improvements in RODI and NDI scores tended to taper off after an optimal number of doses or treatments. Conclusions:The study substantiated improvements in functionality and reduction in pain following chiropractic intervention. It did not demonstrate significant associations between a) age and baseRODI, and b) incremental improvements in RODI or NDI and treatments (doses) beyond a threshold.