Effectiveness Of Chiropractic Care Research Articles

Effect of chiropractic care on low back pain for active-duty military members: Mediation through biopsychosocial factors.

This study evaluates biopsychosocial factors as mediators of the effect of chiropractic care on low back pain (LBP) intensity and interference for active-duty military members. Data from a multi-site, pragmatic clinical trial comparing six weeks of chiropractic care plus usual medical care to usual medical care alone for 750 US active-duty military members with LBP were analyzed using natural-effect, multiple-mediator modeling. Mediation of the adjusted mean effect difference on 12-week outcomes of PROMIS-29 pain interference and intensity by 6-week mediators of other PROMIS-29 physical, mental, and social health subdomains was evaluated. The effect difference on pain interference occurring through PROMIS-29 biopsychosocial factors (natural indirect effect = -1.59, 95% CI = -2.28 to -0.88) was 56% (95% CI = 35 to 96) of the total effect (-2.82, 95% CI = -3.98 to -1.53). The difference in effect on pain intensity occurring through biopsychosocial factors was smaller (natural indirect effect = -0.32, 95% CI = -0.50 to -0.18), equaling 26% (95% CI = 15 to 42) of the total effect (-1.23, 95% CI = -1.52 to -0.88). When considered individually, all physical, mental, and social health factors appeared to mediate the effect difference on pain interference and pain intensity with mental health factors having smaller effect estimates. In contrast with effects on pain interference, much of the effect of adding chiropractic care to usual medical care for US military members on pain intensity did not appear to occur through the PROMIS-29 biopsychosocial factors. Physical and social factors appear to be important intermediate measures for patients receiving chiropractic care for low back pain in military settings. Further study is needed to determine if the effect of chiropractic care on pain intensity for active-duty military occurs through other unmeasured factors, such as patient beliefs, or if the effect occurs directly.

Identifying potential treatment effect modifiers of the effectiveness of chiropractic care to infants with colic\xa0through prespecified secondary analyses of a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundA recent trial identified large variation in effect of chiropractic care for infantile colic. Thus, identification of possible effect modifiers could potentially enhance the clinical reasoning to select infants with excessive crying for chiropractic care. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify potential treatment effect modifiers which might influence the effect of chiropractic care for excessive crying in infancy.MethodsDesign: Prespecified secondary analyses of data from a randomised controlled trial. The analyses are partly confirmative and partly exploratory.Setting: Four chiropractic clinics in Denmark.Participants: Infants aged 2–14 weeks with unexplained excessive crying. Of the 200 infants randomised (1:1), 103 were assigned to a chiropractic care group and 97 to a control group.Intervention: Infants in the intervention group received chiropractic care for 2 weeks, while the control group was not treated.Main analyses: The outcome was change in daily hours of crying. Fifteen baseline variables and 6 general variables were selected as potential effect modifiers, and indices based on these were constructed. Factor analyses, latent class analyses and prognosis were used to construct other potentially modifying variables. Finally, an attempt at defining a new index aiming at optimal prediction of the treatment effect was made. The predictive value for all resulting variables were examined by considering the difference in mean change in crying time between the two treatment groups, stratified by the values of the candidate variables, i.e. interaction analyses.ResultsNone of the predefined items or indices were shown to be useful in identifying colicky infants with potentially larger gain from manual therapy. However, more baseline hours of crying (p = 0.029), short duration of symptoms (p = 0.061) and young age (p = 0.089) were all associated with an increased effect on the outcome of hours of crying.ConclusionMusculoskeletal indicators were not shown to be predictive of an increased benefit for colicky infants from chiropractic treatment. However, increased benefit was associated with early treatment and a high level of baseline crying, suggesting that the most severely affected infants have the greatest potential of benefiting from manual therapy. This finding requires validation by future studies.Trial registrationClinical Trials NCT02595515, registered 2 November 2015.

Effects of Chiropractic Care on Strength, Balance, and Endurance in Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To investigate whether chiropractic care influences strength, balance, and/or endurance in active-duty United States military personnel with low back pain (LBP). Design: This study employed a prospective randomized controlled trial using a pragmatic treatment approach. Participants were randomly allocated to 4 weeks of chiropractic care or to a wait-list control. Interventions: Chiropractic care consisted of spinal manipulation, education, advice, and reassurance. Settings/Location: Naval Air Technical Training Center branch clinic at the Naval Hospital Pensacola Florida. Subjects: One hundred ten active-duty military personnel 18-40 years of age with self-reported LBP. Outcome measures: Isometric pulling strength from a semisquat position was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were single-leg balance with eyes open and eyes closed, and trunk muscle endurance using the Biering-Sorensen test. Patient-reported outcomes such as pain severity and disability were also measured. Outcomes were measured at baseline and 4 weeks. Linear mixed-effects regression models over baseline and 4 weeks were used for analysis. Results: Participants had mean age of 30 years (18-40), 17% were female, 33% were non-white, and 86% reported chronic LBP. Mean maximum pulling strength in the chiropractic group increased by 5.08 kgs and decreased by 7.43 kgs in the wait-list group, with a statistically significant difference in mean change between groups (p = 0.003). Statistically significant differences in mean change between groups were also observed in trunk muscle endurance (13.9 sec, p = 0.002) and balance with eyes closed (0.47 sec, p = 0.01), but not in balance with eyes open (1.19 sec, p = 0.43). Differences in mean change between groups were statistically significant in favor of chiropractic for LBP-related disability, pain intensity and interference, and fear-avoidance behavior. Conclusions: Active-duty military personnel receiving chiropractic care exhibited improved strength and endurance, as well as reduced LBP intensity and disability, compared with a wait-list control.

Assessment of Balance and Risk for Falls in a Sample of Community-Dwelling Adults Aged 60 and Older

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the fall risk in 60 and older and prevalence of predictive properties of Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale in a group of independently-functioning community-dwelling older adults. Methodology: One hundred community-dwelling older adults (male=50, female=50) who were capable of walking independently on assessment was included in this study. A binary logistic regression analysis of Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale score was used to investigate a predictive model for fall risk. Result and Conclusion: This study showed that Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) Scale is a promising screening and assessment instruments, which might have utility in future investigations of the possible effects of chiropractic care on balance

Stakeholder expectations from the integration of chiropractic care into a rehabilitation setting: a qualitative study

BackgroundFew studies have investigated patient and provider expectations of chiropractic care, particularly in multidisciplinary settings. This qualitative study explored stakeholder expectations of adding a chiropractor to the healthcare team at a rehabilitation specialty hospital.MethodsThe research methodology was an organizational case study with an inpatient facility for persons recovering from complex neurological conditions serving as the setting. Sixty stakeholders, including patients, families, hospital staff, and administrators, were interviewed or participated in focus groups in June 2015. Semi-structured questions guided the interview sessions which were digitally audiorecorded and transcribed. Data were entered into a qualitative software program to conduct content analysis using an iterative approach to identify key themes.ResultsExpectations for the chiropractic program were mostly positive with themes consistently reported across stakeholder groups. The central domain, making progress, encompassed the organizational mission to empower patients to reach hospital discharge and return to life in the community. Higher order goals, characterized as achieving whole person healing, encompassed patients’ quality of life, self-efficacy, and activities of daily living. Stakeholders expected the addition of chiropractic to help patients progress toward these goals by improving pain management and physical functioning. Pain management themes included pain intensity, medication use, and pain-related behaviors, while functional improvement themes included muscle tone, extremity function, and balance and mobility. In addition to these direct effects on clinical outcomes, stakeholders also expected indirect effects of chiropractic care on healthcare integration. This indirect effect was expected to increase patient participation in other providers’ treatments leading to improved care for the patient across the team and facility-level outcomes such as decreased length of stay.ConclusionsStakeholders expected the addition of chiropractic care to a rehabilitation specialty hospital to benefit patients through pain management and functional improvements leading to whole person healing. They also expected chiropractic to benefit the healthcare team by facilitating other therapies in pursuit of the hospital mission, that is, moving patients towards discharge. Understanding stakeholder expectations may allow providers to align current expectations with what may be reasonable, in an effort to achieve appropriate clinical outcomes and patient and staff satisfaction.

Assessment of chiropractic care on strength, balance, and endurance in active-duty U.S. military personnel with low back pain: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a common cause of disability among U.S. military personnel. Approximately 20% of all diagnoses resulting in disability discharges are linked to back-related conditions. Because LBP can negatively influence trunk muscle strength, balance, and endurance, the military readiness of active-duty military personnel with LBP is potentially compromised. Chiropractic care may facilitate the strengthening of trunk muscles, the alteration of sensory and motor signaling, and a reduction in pain sensitivity, which may contribute to improving strength, balance, and endurance for individuals with LBP. This trial will assess the effects of chiropractic care on strength, balance, and endurance for active-duty military personnel with LBP.Methods/designThis randomized controlled trial will allocate 110 active-duty military service members aged 18–40 with non-surgical acute, subacute, or chronic LBP with pain severity of ≥2/10 within the past 24 h. All study procedures are conducted at a single military treatment facility within the continental United States. Participants are recruited through recruitment materials approved by the institutional review board, such as posters and flyers, as well as through provider referrals. Group assignment occurs through computer-generated random allocation to either the study intervention (chiropractic care) or the control group (waiting list) for a 4-week period. Chiropractic care consists primarily of spinal manipulation at a frequency and duration determined by a chiropractic practitioner. Strength, balance, and endurance outcomes are obtained at baseline and after 4 weeks. The primary outcome is a change between baseline and 4 weeks of peak isometric strength, which is measured by pulling on a bimanual handle in a semi-squat position. Secondary outcomes include balance time during a single-leg standing test and trunk muscle endurance with the Biering-Sorensen test. Patient-reported outcomes include pain severity, disability measured with the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, symptom bothersomeness, PROMIS-29, Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire, expectations of care, physical activity, and global improvement.DiscussionThis trial may help inform further research on biological mechanisms related to manual therapies employed by chiropractic practitioners.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02670148 Registered on 1 February 2016.

Comparative Effectiveness of Usual Care With or Without Chiropractic Care in Patients with Recurrent Musculoskeletal Back and Neck Pain.

Chiropractic care is a popular alternative for back and neck pain, with efficacy comparable to usual care in randomized trials. However, the effectiveness of chiropractic care as delivered through conventional care settings remains largely unexplored. To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of usual care with or without chiropractic care for patients with chronic recurrent musculoskeletal back and neck pain. Prospective cohort study using propensity score-matched controls. Using retrospective electronic health record data, we developed a propensity score model predicting likelihood of chiropractic referral. Eligible patients with back or neck pain were then contacted upon referral for chiropractic care and enrolled in a prospective study. For each referred patient, two propensity score-matched non-referred patients were contacted and enrolled. We followed the participants prospectively for 6months. Main outcomes included pain severity, interference, and symptom bothersomeness. Secondary outcomes included expenditures for pain-related health care. Both groups' (N = 70 referred, 139 non-referred) pain scores improved significantly over the first 3months, with less change between months 3 and 6. No significant between-group difference was observed. (severity - 0.10 (95% CI - 0.30, 0.10), interference - 0.07 (- 0.31, 0.16), bothersomeness - 0.1 (- 0.39, 0.19)). After controlling for variances in baseline costs, total costs during the 6-month post-enrollment follow-up were significantly higher on average in the non-referred versus referred group ($1996 [SD = 3874] vs $1086 [SD = 1212], p = .034). Adjusting for differences in age, gender, and Charlson comorbidity index attenuated this finding, which was no longer statistically significant (p = .072). We found no statistically significant difference between the two groups in either patient-reported or economic outcomes. As clinical outcomes were similar, and the provision of chiropractic care did not increase costs, making chiropractic services available provided an additional viable option for patients who prefer this type of care, at no additional expense.

Research priorities of the Canadian chiropractic profession: a consensus study using a modified Delphi technique

BackgroundResearch funds are limited and a healthcare profession that supports research activity should establish research priority areas. The study objective was to identify research priority areas for the Canadian chiropractic profession, and for stakeholders in the chiropractic profession to rank these in order of importance.MethodsWe conducted a modified Delphi consensus study between August 2015 and May 2017 to determine the views of Canadian chiropractic organisations (e.g. Canadian Chiropractic Association; provincial associations) and stakeholder groups (e.g. chiropractic educational institutions; researchers). Participants completed three online Delphi survey rounds. In Round 1, participants suggested research areas within four broad research themes: 1) Basic science; 2) Clinical; 3) Health services; and 4) Population health. In Round 2, researchers created sub-themes by categorising the areas suggested in Round 1, and participants judged the importance of the research sub-themes. We defined consensus as at least 70% of participants agreeing that a research area was “essential” or “very important”. In Round 3, results from Round 2 were presented to the participants to re-evaluate the importance of sub-themes. Finally, participants completed an online pairwise ranking activity to determine the rank order of the list of important research sub-themes.ResultsFifty-seven participants, of 85 people invited, completed Round 1 (response rate 67%). Fifty-six participants completed Round 2, 55 completed Round 3, and 53 completed the ranking activity. After three Delphi rounds and the pairwise ranking activity was completed, the ranked list of research sub-themes considered important were: 1) Integration of chiropractic care into multidisciplinary settings; 2) Costs and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care; 3) Effect of chiropractic care on reducing medical services; 4) Effects of chiropractic care; 5) Safety/side effects of chiropractic care; 6) Chiropractic care for older adults; 7) Neurophysiological mechanisms and effects of spinal manipulative therapy; 8) General mechanisms and effects of spinal manipulative therapy.ConclusionsThis project identified research priority areas for the Canadian chiropractic profession. The top three priority areas were all in the area of health services research: 1) Integration of chiropractic care into multidisciplinary settings; 2) Costs and cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care; 3) Effect of chiropractic care on reducing medical services.

Effects of chiropractic care and interactive training game in oxidative markers and pain of elderly

Effects of chiropractic care and interactive training game in oxidative markers and pain of elderly

Best Practices for Chiropractic Care of Children: A Consensus Update

ObjectiveChiropractic care is the most common complementary and integrative medicine practice used by children in the United States, and it is used frequently by children internationally as well. The purpose of this project was to update the 2009 recommendations on best practices for chiropractic care of children. MethodsA formal consensus process was completed based on the existing recommendations and informed by the results of a systematic review of relevant literature from January 2009 through March 2015. The primary search question for the systematic review was, “What is the effectiveness of chiropractic care, including spinal manipulation, for conditions experienced by children (<18 years of age)?” A secondary search question was, “What are the adverse events associated with chiropractic care including spinal manipulation among children (<18 years of age)?” The consensus process was conducted electronically, by e-mail, using a multidisciplinary Delphi panel of 29 experts from 5 countries and using the RAND Corporation/University of California, Los Angeles, consensus methodology. ResultsOnly 2 statements from the previous set of recommendations did not reach 80% consensus on the first round, and revised versions of both were agreed upon in a second round. ConclusionsAll of the seed statements in this best practices document achieved a high level of consensus and thus represent a general framework for what constitutes an evidence-based and reasonable approach to the chiropractic management of infants, children, and adolescents.

Eficácia do tratamento quiroprático na redução álgica na coluna vertebral em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica

Eficácia do tratamento quiroprático na redução álgica na coluna vertebral em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bariátrica

Efeitos da quiropraxia em pacientes com cervicalgia: revisão sistemática

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A dor cervical é ocasionada na maioria das vezes por alterações mecânicos-posturais. Dentre diferentes técnicas terapêuticas realizadas por fisioterapeutas a quiropraxia têm se tornado comum no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi rever na literatura, com fontes secundárias e terciárias, utilizando-se as bases de dados Pubmed/Medline e PEdro. CONTEÚDO: Foram encontrados apenas 6 ensaios clínicos controlados e aleatórios, investigando os efeitos da quiropraxia na dor cervical. Na maioria dos estudos as técnicas de manipulação promoveram o alívio de dor de maneira mais rápida e mais prolongada nos pacientes. A dor foi avaliada por meio do Índice Funcional de Oswestry, do Questionário de Dor McGill e da Escala Analógica Visual da Dor. CONCLUSÃO: É necessária a realização de maior número de ensaios clínicos controlados e aleatórios envolvendo a quiropraxia, bem como a utilização de métodos de avaliação mais fidedignos, a fim de comprovar os seus reais efeitos no tratamento da cervicalgia.

Effects of chiropractic care on dizziness, neck pain, and balance: a single-group, preexperimental, feasibility study

Objective This feasibility study was conducted to further the development of a line of investigation into the potential effects of spinal manipulation/manual therapy on cervicogenic dizziness, balance, and neck pain in adults. Methods A single-group, preexperimental, feasibility study was conducted at a chiropractic college health center and a senior fitness center with a target sample size of 20 patients (40 years or older). Patients were treated by either a clinician or a chiropractic student intern for 8 weeks. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory was the primary outcome measurement, with the Short Form Berg Balance Scale (SF-BBS) and the Neck Disability Index used as secondary outcome measurements. Results Twenty-seven patients were recruited over a period of 13 months. Twenty-one patients enrolled in the study; but because of 2 dropouts, 19 patients completed the treatment. A median Dizziness Handicap Inventory change score of +7 points was calculated for those dizziness patients, with 3 patients improving by at least 18 points, indicating a clinically meaningful change. Seven of the 15 patients who performed the SF-BBS attained at least a 4-point improvement with an effect size of 1.2. A median Neck Disability Index change score of +1 was calculated for those patients with neck pain. Twelve minor adverse reactions were reported by 8 patients, with 3 of those reactions lasting longer than 24 hours. Conclusion A large effect size was calculated for the SF-BBS. Most patients demonstrated improved balance, and some showed reduced dizziness and neck pain. Involving interns in care proved feasible. Further studies with comparison groups and larger samples are needed to explore the promising results of this study before any cause and effect relationship can be determined.

Chiropractic Care for Nonmusculoskeletal Conditions: A Systematic Review with Implications for Whole Systems Research

(1) To evaluate the evidence on the effect of chiropractic care, rather than spinal manipulation only, on patients with nonmusculoskeletal conditions; and (2) to identify shortcomings in the evidence base on this topic, from a Whole Systems Research perspective. Systematic review. Databases included were PubMed, Ovid, Mantis, Index to Chiropractic Literature, and CINAHL. Search restrictions were human subjects, peer-reviewed journal, English language, and publication before May 2005. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were evaluated using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) and Jadad checklists; a checklist developed from the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines; and one developed by the authors to evaluate studies in terms of Whole Systems Research (WSR) considerations. The search yielded 179 papers addressing 50 different nonmusculoskeletal conditions. There were 122 case reports or case series, 47 experimental designs, including 14 RCTs, 9 systematic reviews, and 1 a large cohort study. The 14 RCTs addressed 10 conditions. Six RCTs were rated "high" on the 3 conventional checklists; one of these 6 was rated "high" in terms of WSR considerations. (1) Adverse effects should be routinely reported. For the few studies that did report, adverse effects of spinal manipulation for all ages and conditions were rare, transient, and not severe. (2) Evidence from controlled studies and usual practice supports chiropractic care (the entire clinical encounter) as providing benefit to patients with asthma, cervicogenic vertigo, and infantile colic. Evidence was promising for potential benefit of manual procedures for children with otitis media and elderly patients with pneumonia. (3) The RCT design is not necessarily incompatible with WSR. RCTs could improve generalizability by basing protocols on usual practice. (4) Case reports could contribute more to WSR by increasing their emphasis on patient characteristics and patient-based outcomes. (5) Chiropractic investigators, practitioners, and funding agencies should increase their attention to observational designs.

Relief of depressive symptoms in an elderly patient with low back pain

Summary Objective To describe the case of a patient with depressive symptoms which improved while under chiropractic care for low back pain, and to discuss the clinical features of depression, including screening. Clinical features A 71-year-old female with low back pain sought chiropractic care. Her initial score on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was 8. Intervention and outcome The patient was treated with flexion-distraction chiropractic technique, moist hot packs, and interferential current to the lumbar spine a total of 11 times over 11 weeks. The BDI was administered at baseline and again three times during care. Her scores went from 8 (indicated moderate depression) to 4 (indicating no or minimal depression) to 0 during her care. Conclusion While non-musculoskeletal complaints as a chief complaint make up a small percentage of chiropractic practice, chiropractors see large numbers of patients with low back pain and depression. There is scant literature about the effect of chiropractic care as a treatment for depression. There are reports of other complementary and alternative medicine CAM treatments for patients with depression as well as reports of depression screening and awareness in chiropractic practice. This patient's depression improved while under chiropractic care for her low back pain. This may have been due to a variety of factors, such as natural progression, therapeutic effect of touch, patient–doctor interaction, or improvement secondary to the improvement of her back pain.

Effects of chiropractic care on spinal symptomatology among professional drivers: a pilot study

Rationale: Increased spinal morbidity among drivers is well-documented and its pathomechanism has been objectively verified elsewhere by the authors. This study aims to explore the effects of chiropractic intervention in symptomatic drivers, assess the benefits to the driver and the transport company. Study design: A group of 22 symptomatic bus drivers were treated for various spinal complaints, following which their improvement, recovery and satisfaction were measured through a telephone survey. Analysis of the changes in the number of spine-related sick days, together with its financial benefits to their employer, was performed. Statistical design: The design was a retrospective two-tailed hypothesis testing of variances, using a single cohort of 22 symptomatic bus drivers. The independent variable was the driver’s spinal complaint and the dependent variables an independent questionnaire and company’s sick days record. Results: Twenty-two symptomatic drivers approached the clinic, most of them with multiple spinal complaints of insidious onset and well-established chronicity. At the end of the treatment programme, drivers reported 84.3% improvement and 91.6% overall satisfaction. Average spinal absenteeism within the same group compared to previous year had dropped from 1.55 sick days per employee for 6 months down to 0.16. This trend achieved 95% significance in a paired t-test of variances. Conclusion: Chiropractic intervention within the work place for this population shows positive effects in terms of employee satisfaction, resolution of symptoms and cost effectiveness for the company involved.

The effect of chiropractic care on jet lag of finnish junior elite athletes

The effect of chiropractic care on jet lag of finnish junior elite athletes