DAVENPORT, Iowa - The practice-based research program of the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research is looking for chiropractic clinicians to devote a minimum of time for a worthy cause: a meta-case series on the beneficial effects of chiropractic for various nonmusculoskeletal conditions.
"This study is important because as chiropractors we know our care is effective for a wide variety of nonmusculoskeletal conditions, ranging from multiple sclerosis to sleep disorders, but to date we have no scientific studies on the prevalence of this type of care," noted Cheryl Hawk,DC,PhD, principal investigator for the study.
Chiropractors who wish to participate in this important study will receive detailed forms for their patients who present with nonmusculoskeletal conditions. "Once they've joined the study and received the forms, all they need to do is complete one of these specialized forms for every patient who comes to their offices in a given week," explained Karen Boulanger-Mihin, study coordinator. "This data gives us an excellent baseline for our meta-case series, and we make it very easy for chiropractors to participate."
The Palmer chiropractic practice-based research system is, according to them, the "largest and most technically sophisticated and most widely distributed in existence." It is, the research organization contends, "the only one that systematically collects data on wellness factors such as nutrition, exercise and lifestyle."
"This focus on wellness factors," said Dr. Hawk, "has the potential to contribute significantly both to the documentation and to the further development of wellness issues in the chiropractic profession."
Practicing chiropractors interested in participating in Palmer's meta-case series on the beneficial effects of chiropractic for various nonmusculoskeletal conditions, are encouraged to contact Karen Boulanger-Mihin at 1-800-682-1625 or 319-884-5160. Information about past practice-based research studies and current projects is also available on the Palmer Chiropractic website at www.palmer.edu.
