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Aspinall SL, Nim C, Hartvigsen J, Cook CE, Skillgate E, Vogel S, Hohenschurz-Schmidt D, Underwood M, Rubinstein SM. Waste not, want not: call to action for spinal manipulative therapy researchers. Chiropr Man Therap 2024; 32:16. [PMID: 38745213 PMCID: PMC11092111 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-024-00539-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research waste is defined as research outcomes with no or minimal societal benefits. It is a widespread problem in the healthcare field. Four primary sources of research waste have been defined: (1) irrelevant or low priority research questions, (2) poor design or methodology, (3) lack of publication, and (4) biased or inadequate reporting. This commentary, which was developed by a multidisciplinary group of researchers with spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) research expertise, discusses waste in SMT research and provides suggestions to improve future research. MAIN TEXT This commentary examines common sources of waste in SMT research, focusing on design and methodological issues, by drawing on prior research and examples from clinical and mechanistic SMT studies. Clinical research is dominated by small studies and studies with a high risk of bias. This problem is compounded by systematic reviews that pool heterogenous data from varying populations, settings, and application of SMT. Research focusing on the mechanisms of SMT often fails to address the clinical relevance of mechanisms, relies on very short follow-up periods, and has inadequate control for contextual factors. CONCLUSIONS This call to action is directed to researchers in the field of SMT. It is critical that the SMT research community act to improve the way research is designed, conducted, and disseminated. We present specific key action points and resources, which should enhance the quality and usefulness of future SMT research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Casper Nim
- Medical Research Unit, Spine Centre of Southern Denmark, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Middelfart, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Muscle and Joint Health, Department of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jan Hartvigsen
- Center for Muscle and Joint Health, Department of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Chiropractic Knowledge Hub, Odense, Denmark
| | - Chad E Cook
- Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Eva Skillgate
- Department of Health Promotion Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Naprapathögskolan, Scandinavian College of Naprapathic Manual Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Steven Vogel
- Research Centre, University College of Osteopathy, London, UK
| | - David Hohenschurz-Schmidt
- Research Centre, University College of Osteopathy, London, UK
- Pain Research, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Martin Underwood
- Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK
- University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry, UK
| | - Sidney M Rubinstein
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science and Amsterdam Movement Science Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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O'Neill SFD, Nim C, Newell D, Leboeuf-Yde C. A new role for spinal manual therapy and for chiropractic? Part I: weaknesses and threats. Chiropr Man Therap 2024; 32:11. [PMID: 38532401 DOI: 10.1186/s12998-024-00531-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal manual therapy is central to chiropractic history, clinical practice, and professional identity. That chiropractors have developed an expertise in this domain has provided some considerable advantages. However, we contend it is also at the crux of the ideological schism that fractures the chiropractic profession. In this article, which is the first in a series of two, we discuss chiropractors' understanding and use of spinal manual therapy and do so with particular emphasis on what we see as weaknesses it creates and threats it gives rise to. These are of particular importance, as we believe they have limited the chiropractic profession's development. As we shall argue, we believe that these threats have become existential in nature, and we are convinced that they call for a resolute and unified response by the profession. Subsequently, in part II, we discuss various strengths that the chiropractic profession possesses and the opportunities that await, provided that the profession is ready to rise to the challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren Francis Dyhrberg O'Neill
- Medical Spinal Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital, Spine Centre of Southern Denmark, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Østre Hougvej 55, Middelfart, Denmark.
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Casper Nim
- Medical Spinal Research Unit, Lillebaelt Hospital, Spine Centre of Southern Denmark, University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Østre Hougvej 55, Middelfart, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Center for Muscle and Joint Health, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Gevers-Montoro C, Romero-Santiago B, Medina-García I, Larranaga-Arzamendi B, Álvarez-Gálovich L, Ortega-De Mues A, Piché M. Reduction of Chronic Primary Low Back Pain by Spinal Manipulative Therapy is Accompanied by Decreases in Segmental Mechanical Hyperalgesia and Pain Catastrophizing: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Dual-blind Mixed Experimental Trial. THE JOURNAL OF PAIN 2024:104500. [PMID: 38369221 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2024.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Chronic primary low back pain (CPLBP) refers to low back pain that persists over 3 months, that cannot be explained by another chronic condition, and that is associated with emotional distress and disability. Previous studies have shown that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is effective in relieving CPLBP, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This randomized placebo-controlled dual-blind mixed experimental trial (NCT05162924) aimed to investigate the efficacy of SMT to improve CPLBP and its underlying mechanisms. Ninety-eight individuals with CPLBP and 49 controls were recruited. Individuals with CPLBP received SMT (n = 49) or a control intervention (n = 49), 12 times over 4 weeks. The primary outcomes were CPLBP intensity (0-100 on a numerical rating scale) and disability (Oswestry Disability Index). Secondary outcomes included pressure pain thresholds in 4 body regions, pain catastrophizing, Central Sensitization Inventory, depressive symptoms, and anxiety scores. Individuals with CPLBP showed widespread mechanical hyperalgesia (P < .001) and higher scores for all questionnaires (P < .001). SMT reduced pain intensity compared with the control intervention (mean difference: -11.7 [95% confidence interval, -11.0 to -12.5], P = .01), but not disability (P = .5). Similar mild to moderate adverse events were reported in both groups. Mechanical hyperalgesia at the manipulated segment was reduced after SMT compared with the control intervention (P < .05). Pain catastrophizing was reduced after SMT compared with the control intervention (P < .05), but this effect was not significant after accounting for changes in clinical pain. Although the reduction of segmental mechanical hyperalgesia likely contributes to the clinical benefits of SMT, the role of pain catastrophizing remains to be clarified. PERSPECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial found that 12 sessions of SMT yield greater relief of CPLBP than a control intervention. These clinical effects were independent of expectations, and accompanied by an attenuation of hyperalgesia in the targeted segment and a modulation of pain catastrophizing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Gevers-Montoro
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois- Rivières, Quebec, Canada; CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada; Madrid College of Chiropractic, RCU María Cristina, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain
| | - Blanca Romero-Santiago
- Madrid College of Chiropractic, RCU María Cristina, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Medina-García
- Madrid College of Chiropractic, RCU María Cristina, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Luis Álvarez-Gálovich
- Instituto Avanzado de Columna, Fundación Jiménez Díaz Hospital, Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Fujitega Research Foundation, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mathieu Piché
- Department of Anatomy, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois- Rivières, Quebec, Canada; CogNAC Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada
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Harper B, Dudek A, Williamson J, Siyufy A, Smith JA. Combining Static and Dynamic Myofascial Dry Cupping Therapy to Improve Local and Regional Symptoms in Individuals with Low Back Pain: A Case Series. Int J Sports Phys Ther 2024; 19:227-237. [PMID: 38313662 PMCID: PMC10837828 DOI: 10.26603/001c.91653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Chronic low back pain is a common musculoskeletal healthcare presentation with an expense of over $100 billion annually. The clinical effect of myofascial cupping on pain and function is not clear, especially when different cupping techniques are combined. The purpose of this case series was to explore changes in pain and function following local static and distal dynamic myofascial dry cupping treatments in patients with chronic low back pain. Case Descriptions Three adults from the general population received three ten-minute treatment sessions, 48 hours between each session, of static dry cupping to the low back followed by dynamic myofascial cupping of the quadriceps and hamstring musculature. Outcome measures were taken at two different time points within one-week per participant. Subjective measures included the numeric pain rating scale and the Oswestry Disability Index, objective measures included passive straight leg raise measurements, and pressure pain threshold. Results and Discussion Local static combined with distal dynamic myofascial cupping reduced pain, pain sensitivity and perceived disability, and improved hamstring muscle extensibility in all three participants. These encouraging results support the initiation of a larger controlled trial aimed at investigating the efficacy of combined dry cupping interventions to treat musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain. Level of Evidence 4 (case series).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alana Dudek
- Physical Therapy Chapman University
- Physical Therapy South College
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