Chiropractic

BACKGROUND: Virtual radiography provides students with an opportunity to practise their clinical skills in patient positioning and evaluating radiographic images. The purpose of this pilot study was to introduce Projection VR™, a software radiography simulation program, into a student chiropractic program and evaluate its potential application as a teaching and learning tool. METHODS: Undergraduate chiropractic students, enrolled in a radiographic course (unit within the chiropractic program), were invited to attend a scheduled laboratory where they were introduced to, and undertook purposefully designed activities using the radiography simulation...

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of information about health education clinical file audits in the context of completeness of records and demonstrating program-wide competency achievement. We report on the reliability of an audit instrument used for electronic health record (EHR) audits in the clinics of a chiropractic college in Canada. METHODS: The instrument is a checklist built within an electronic software application designed to pull data automatically from the EHR...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate coping strategies adopted by chiropractic college students and how these strategies affect student-perceived stress levels. METHODS: Four hundred seven (407) 1st-quarter students were recruited during 2014 and 2015. The validated Brief COPE inventory was used to assess coping strategies during the 1st week of classes. Perceived Chiropractic College Stress (PCCS) was assessed via a modification of Vitaliano Perceived Medical School Stress survey instrument...

OBJECTIVE: This study explored self-reported experiences of alternate admission track plan (AATP) students who completed a chiropractic training program at a US chiropractic college. METHODS: Our institution conducted semistructured exit interviews with 16 graduating AATP students. Our consensus-drafted open-ended interview questions probed in-depth for these students' experience throughout the training program, with national board exams, their personal characteristics, their satisfaction with the training program generally, and with the AATP program specifically...

OBJECTIVE: To describe perceptions of knowledge of interprofessional teams and value of interprofessional education (IPE) among 3 distinct years of chiropractic students at 1 chiropractic college. METHODS: A 24-item cross-sectional survey was administered to 247 chiropractic students in years 1-3 within a single institution. Surveys included 5 demographic questions and the 19-item Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). The RIPLS collected information on perceptions and value of interprofessional health care in a health care training program...

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presents with physical, emotional and social difficulties that affect quality of life. Multimodal management includes both pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) plays an important role. Recent research has suggested that manual therapies may improve perceptions of dyspnea for people with COPD. METHODS: Focus group interviews were conducted as part of a mixed methods study to assess the feasibility of implementing a manual therapy technique-muscle energy technique (MET)-as an adjunct to PR for people with moderate to severe COPD...

Objective: To develop evidence-based recommendations on best practices for delivery of clinical preventive services by chiropractors and to offer practical resources to empower provider applications in practice. Design: Clinical practice guideline based on evidence-based recommendations of a panel of practitioners and experts on clinical preventive services. Methods: Synthesizing the results of a literature search for relevant clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews, a multidisciplinary steering committee with training and experience in health promotion, clinical prevention, and/or evidence-based chiropractic practice drafted a set of recommendations...

INTRODUCTION: Many mothers have the goal to breastfeed. However, more than 50% will have breastfeeding difficulty by the 3rd day of life. Mothers who are unable to meet their breastfeeding goals are at higher risk for anxiety, depression, embarrassment, and guilt. Those who stop breastfeeding need support and help resolving these feelings. This case study aims to describe one woman's difficulty with mental health surrounding breastfeeding, her decision to bottle feed, and her successful transition back to direct breastfeeding...

Diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), an immune-mediated inflammatory disease, is commonly associated with chronic inflammatory back pain (IBP) and often occurs years after initial onset of clinical symptoms. Recognition of IBP is important for timely referral of patients with suspected axSpA to a rheumatologist. Patients with all types of back pain are treated in chiropractic care, but the proportion of patients with undiagnosed axSpA is unknown. This systematic literature review investigated the presence of axSpA in patients treated by chiropractors and identified the chiropractor's role in axSpA diagnosis, referral, and management...

BACKGROUND: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are two distinct conditions characterized by similar symptoms including leg pain and walking limitations due to claudication. Differentiation between both origins can be difficult and characteristics such as symptom manifestations, time to relief in rest position and pain localization should be considered when determining diagnosis and the treatment plan. The objectives of this study were to compare changes in walking time to symptom change during treadmill tests and self-reported outcomes measures related to claudication, kinesophobia and global health between individuals with LSS, PAD and non-specific low back pain (nLBP)...

BACKGROUND/AIM: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common in patients with primary headache. However, no study has been reported in which standardized modalities were questioned in a Turkish population. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of CAM use and factors related to it in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of primary headache were included in this cross-sectional observational study...

Introduction: Water intoxication is a well-recognized cause of symptomatic hyponatremia, whose often fatal consequences are de-scribed in a wide variety of conditions such as psychiatric disorders, metabolic dysfunctions, child abuse, drug abuse and several medical procedures. The case: We here report a rare case of a 67-year-old woman with severe acute hyponatremia due to an excessive voluntary water intake - 14 litres in two days - following a chiropractic prescription...

Sleep problems are common and may be associated with persistent pain. It is unclear whether non-pharmacological interventions improve sleep and pain in adults with comorbid sleep problems and musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. We conducted a systematic review on the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions on sleep characteristics among adults with MSK pain and comorbid sleep problems. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central and PsycINFO from inception to April 2, 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort, and case-control studies...

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate whether blended online with laboratory instruction differs from traditional classroom lecture and laboratory with regard to student satisfaction and performance in a radiographic technique class teaching radiation health and physics. METHODS: Following institutional review board approval, 122 participants were randomly assigned to either an online or classroom environment for the lecture portion of the course...

Anatomy is a key knowledge area in chiropractic and is formally offered in the undergraduate component of chiropractic education. There is the potential for loss of anatomy knowledge before the opportunity to apply it in a clinical setting. This study aimed to determine whether chiropractic clinicians retain a level of anatomy knowledge comparable to that of chiropractic students and to compare chiropractors' self-rating of their anatomical knowledge against an objective knowledge assessment tool. A previously validated multiple-choice test was utilized to measure retention of limb musculoskeletal knowledge in Australian chiropractors...

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic test accuracy of pain provocation tests for the sacroiliac joint. DESIGN: Systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy. LITERATURE SEARCH: Eight electronic databases and reference lists of included studies and previous reviews. STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of clusters of clinical tests for sacroiliac joint pain. DATA SYNTHESIS: Bivariate random effects meta-analysis was employed...

Occipitalization of the atlas (OA) (atlantooccipital assimilation) is a rare congenital anomaly that results in fusion of the C0-C1 complex. Here, we report the two cases of familial OA occurring in a father and his daughter and describe the pathologic features of this rare developmental anomaly. A 70-year-old father and his 30-year-old daughter seeking conservative care for musculoskeletal complaints presented to a chiropractic clinic. Radiographs of the cervical spine demonstrated OA. This represents a novel example of this anomaly in two patients with a direct familial relationship...

BACKGROUND: As is the case around the globe, the Danish chiropractic community appears to be an active service provider for the athletic sub-population. However, a paucity of evidence elucidating the experiences, perceptions, and practices of individuals who identify as 'sports chiropractors' complicates strategic development efforts. METHODS: A sequential mixed-methods study was conceptualized in which interview responses from seven purposefully selected stakeholders provided context and informed a national descriptive survey exploring practice characteristics and opinions regarding sports chiropractic among Danish chiropractors...

OBJECTIVE: To determine if an existing course in genetics should be revised to refocus on the topic of genomics and its impact on health and primary care, a survey of chiropractors was conducted regarding genomics and patient care. METHODS: A short survey was designed to ascertain chiropractors' knowledge and use of genomics in their practices, particularly regarding direct to consumer genetic testing. Nine closed-ended questions and 2 open-ended questions were included...

The aim of this study was to examine the mechanisms underlying hypoalgesia induced by spinal manipulation (SM). Eighty-two healthy volunteers were assigned to one of the four intervention groups: no intervention, SM at T4 (homosegmental to pain), SM at T8 (heterosegmental to pain) or light mechanical stimulus at T4 (placebo). Eighty laser stimuli were applied on back skin at T4 to evoke pain and brain activity related to Aδ- and C-fibers activation. The intervention was performed after 40 stimuli. Laser pain was decreased by SM at T4 (p = 0...