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Chiropractic Research |
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The following is a list of studies that have been done to
determine the benefit of Chiropractic care.
The RAND Study: Preliminary reports published in 1991 by one of the most
prestigious centers for research in public policy confirms the appropriateness
of spinal manipulation for some low-back
pain patients. This study is part of a larger, multi-year project designed by
the Consortium for Chiropractic Research to help establish standards of care for
the chiropractic profession. The
Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research (FCER) is assisting in the
management of this study. The Utah Study: In another study of workers' compensation claims, this 1991 study found that patients of chiropractic care returned to work sooner after an injury, reporting an average of two lost work days to 20 under standard medical care. Furthermore, the study revealed that chiropractic care was 10 times less expensive than standard medical care in compensation payouts. Funding of this study was provided by the Workers' Compensation Fund of Utah, the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, and the Greenawalt Fellowship Fund. The Florida Study: The highlights of this 1988 FCER-funded report
support the findings of earlier studies of workers' compensation claims that
chiropractic care is more cost-effective than standard medical care in the management of work-related back
injuries. The results of this study indicated chiropractic patients suffered
shorter periods of total disability, and
their cost of care was lower, compared to patients of medical doctors, who were
likely to be hospitalized. The Meade Study: A three-year British comparison of chiropractic care and standard medical care of low-back pain patients found chiropractic treatment more effective than hospital outpatient management for patients with chronic or severe back pain. The positive effects of chiropractic care in this 1990 study were even more evident during the follow-up period. Funding of this study was provided by the Medical Research Council, the National Back Pain Association, The European Chiropractors Union, and the Kind Edward's Hospital Fund for London. The Koes' Clinical Trial: A 1991 Dutch project compared manipulative therapy (chiropractic) and physiotherapy (physical therapy) for the treatment of persistent back and neck complaints. After 12 months, the manipulative therapy groups showed greater improvement in the primary complaint as well as in physical function, with fewer visits. Funding for this trial was provided by the Dutch Ministry of Welfare, Health and Cultural Affairs, and by the Dutch Health Insurance Council. The Magna Study: This study researched both the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the chiropractic management of low-back pain, and found "on the evidence, particularly the most scientifically valid clinical studies, spinal manipulations applied by chiropractors is shown to be more effective than alternative treatment for low-back pain. Many medical therapies are of questionable validity or are clearly inadequate." The study was funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health.
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