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Articles on Chiropractic Research Research Grants and Grant Information
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GRANTS AWARDED BY FCER, NOVEMBER 2001: Principal Investigator:
Gregory Plaugher, D.C.
Principal Investigator: Cheryl
Hawk, D.C., Ph.D. Synopsis: This study will explore whether the workforce of 60,000 licensed chiropractors serving 11% of the U.S. population may improve access to clinical preventive services. This will be accomplished by assessing the current attitudes of U.S. chiropractors toward such services, including a determination of the self-reported provision of these entities. The results are to be submitted for consideration for publication in an upcoming special alternative medicine edition of the American Journal of Public Health. GRANT AWARDED BY FCER, JULY 2001:
Principal Investigator:
Charles Henderson, D.C., Ph.D. Synopsis: In their previous work, Dr. Henderson and his colleagues developed a model which utilizes a novel transcutaneous attachment unit to the spinous process of Sprague-Dawley rats. This research permitted external, non-traumatic, and reversible control of vertebral position and motion and demonstrated the utility of such a model in producing clinically relevant effects predicted by models of subluxation. The copious biomechanical and biochemical data being developed in this line of investigation is expected to improve clinical practice. This proposal seeks to take this research a step further by coupling the model with a flexion/distraction platform and a well established optoelectronic motion analysis method [OPTOTRAK]. The purpose would be to monitor intersegmental motion of the lumbar vertebrae caused by flexion/distraction movements produced by the platform. It would permit the measurement of intersegmental hypo- and hypermobility of the L2-L6 vertebrae following experimental fixation of the L3, L4, and L5 spine segments. Furthermore, it will be possible to determine whether both the number of flexion/distraction repetitions and magnitude of the table movement will affect the magnitude of improved intersegmental motion in the L2-L6 vertebrae following the L3-L5 fixation. A total of 36 rats is to be randomly assigned across 4 groups, two experimental and two control groups that are minimally [10o] or maximally [60o] flexed. One group of either the minimally or maximally flexed group will have their vertebrae linked in the neutral position for 8 weeks, while their aged matched control rats will never be linked. At the end of the 8 week link period, all animals will be retested for intersegmental motion and then euthanized. GRANT AWARDED BY NCMIC/FCER, MAY 2001:
Principal Investigators:
Charlotte Le-Bouef-Yde,
D.C., Ph.D.;
William Meeker, D.C., M.P.H.; David Chapman-Smith, LLB (Hons) Synopsis: The overarching question addressed in this investigation is whether spinal manipulative therapy has a clinical observable effect pertaining to visceral disorders. The current research builds upon the investigations of LeBouef, who had previously surveyed the entire Swedish chiropractic profession and found that a quarter of the patients reported improvement in at least one bodily function not directly related to the musculoskeletal symptoms for which they initially sought care. The scope of this study is expanded in the current research to a database collected from over 500 chiropractors involving 11,000 patients from 7 countries. Like the Swedish study, it would record the types and frequencies of reported positive nonmusculoskeletal effects with associations to: (i) the area of the spine treated, (ii) the beliefs of the treating chiropractor, (iii) the type of information given to patients prior to treatment, and (iv) the number of treatments applied (dose-response). The countries represented are Australia, Canada, Hong-Kong/PRC, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States. Patient profiles in each of the countries (age, gender, education level, use of medically prescribed drugs, and reason for seeking care) are to be presented, together with treatment profiles (number of visits during the previous 3 months, number of days since last treatment, areas treated at the last visit, number of areas treated, and type of treatment given). The administration of this study allows field practitioners to participate in chiropractic research under controlled conditions established by an international team of researchers specializing in clinical epidemiology. It also creates a viable infrastructure in the sites surveyed with which future relevant clinic-based projects may be carried out.
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GRANTS AWARDED BY FCER, FEBRUARY 2001: Principal Investigator: J. Donald Dishman, D.C. Synopsis: The primary purpose of the proposed research is to address the
characteristics by which spinal manipulative therapy [SMT] attenuates motoneuron
activity in both asymptomatic and mechanical low back pain patients. With a
variety of clinical observations suggesting that A total of 63 asymptomatic subjects and 63 low-back pain patients aged 20-40 years will be randomized into the three experimental groups. SMT will be a single side-posture manipulation of the spine; mobilization will involve the application of manual contact with modest force intensity and very slow velocity with no high-velocity thrust; and the sham procedure will place the subject in the very same position as for the previous two procedures but with minimal manual contact, no lower limb flexion, and no truncal torque. Quantitative electromyographic evaluations of paraspinal [erector spinae] muscles and segmentally related peripheral muscles will be used to describe the physiologic effects of SMT on the spinal motor system. The underlying hypothesis is that transient inhibition of spinal cord motor activity following SMT may assist in reducing hypertonicity [spasms] of the paraspinal muscles in mechanical low back pain patients. In addition, reflex activation of paraspinal muscles during SMT [reported from previous investigations] may trigger the transient inhibition of spinal cord motor activity.
Research Site: Northwestern Health Sciences University Title: Chiropractic Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Related Conditions in the Elderly Synopsis: Addressing the lack of appropriate chiropractic outcome studies addressed to elderly populations, this proposal is a single-group cohort study which is actually designed to do the work of four pilot projects concerning patients aged 60 years and older with carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS]. The goals of this research are to: [i] determine the feasibility [such as recruitment and treatment effect] of conducting a subsequent randomized clinical trial; [ii] examine the characteristics [such as symptoms and comorbidities] of this group, [iii] develop chiropractic treatment protocols for this condition; and [iv] evaluate the validity and psychometric properties of the proposed outcome measures. A sample of 50 patients recruited through the media is to pass through three phases: [i] a 5-week, 3-interview natural history phase involving multiple baseline measurements; [ii] a 5-week treatment period involving 1-3 treatments per week involving manual manipulation of the joints and soft tissues extending from the wrist to the cervical and thoracic areas of the spine; and [iii] follow-up measurements at 1, 3, and 6 months post-treatment. Primary endpoints to be tested are the Katz self-reported symptom severity and functional status scales, while secondary outcomes will be nerve conduction, digital algometry, objective hand function tests [grip and pinch strength], and general function status and quality of life assessments [SF-12 scales]. With the rise of keyboard technologies, the rationale of this research lies in the fact that CTS is likely to increase in incidence and severity in an aging population. The data obtained from this pilot, including the chiropractic protocol assessment, will provide the foundation for documenting chiropractic effectiveness for CTS in a growing cohort of patients. |
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