Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 26, Issue 7 , Pages 403-411, September 2003

A pilot study for a randomized clinical trial assessing chiropractic care, medical care, and self-care education for acute and subacute neck pain patients

  • Roni Evans, DC

      Affiliations

    • Director, Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, Minn, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationSubmit requests for reprints to: Roni Evans, Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies, Northwestern Health Sciences University, 2501 W 84th Street, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA
  • ,
  • Gert Bronfort, DC, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Wolfe-Harris Center for Clinical Studies, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, Minn, USA
  • ,
  • Sarah Bittell, DC

      Affiliations

    • Private practice of chiropractic, Minnetonka, Minn, USA
  • ,
  • Alfred V Anderson, MD

      Affiliations

    • Pain Assessment and Rehabilitation Center, Edina, Minn, USA

Received 18 September 2001; received in revised form 30 October 2002

Abstract 

Objective

To conduct a pilot study in preparation for a full-scale randomized clinical trial assessing conservative treatments for acute and subacute neck pain.

Study design

Prospective, randomized pilot study.

Setting

Primary contact chiropractic and medical clinics.

Patients

Ages 21 to 65 with current episode of neck pain less than 12 weeks in duration.

Outcome measures

Patient self-report questionnaires and cervical spine motion were assessed at baseline and 3 and 12 weeks postrandomization.

Interventions

Chiropractic spinal manipulation, prescription medications, and self-care education.

Results

Recruitment took place over a 1-month period. Twenty-eight patients were randomized to treatment, and 1 patient (medical care group) refused their treatment assignment and was lost to further follow-up. Twenty-three patients were either “very satisfied” or “completely satisfied” with the care they received in the study. More than half the patients reported 75% or 100% improvement (n = 17). No between-group comparisons were planned or performed due to the small sample size.

Conclusion

Recruitment of patients appears feasible for a full-scale randomized clinical trial evaluating chiropractic spinal manipulation, medical care, and self-care education for acute and subacute neck pain. Patient and provider compliance with study protocols was excellent, and the pilot study allowed us to further develop and optimize our data collection processes. Although pilot studies such as these require substantial time, money, and effort, they provide valuable information for future research efforts.

Keywords:  Cervical Spine, Chiropractic Manipulation, Drug Therapy

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 15.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 This study was funded by the Consortial Center for Chiropractic Research through the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health.

PII: S0161-4754(03)00093-9

doi:10.1016/S0161-4754(03)00093-9

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 26, Issue 7 , Pages 403-411, September 2003