John Rupolo, D.C., DABCT, president of the International Thermographic Society (ITS) announced the ITS will fund an independent research project on thermography in concert with Patricia Brennan, PhD, chairperson of National College of Chiropractic (NCC)'s research department, and James Christiansen, PhD, NCC professor of physiology. The research will consist of conducting independent studies of MRI documented disc herniations, and then clinically correlating both the anatomical and neurological findings with thermographic findings.
The Guidelines for Chiropractic Quality Assurance and Practice Parameters rated infrared thermography as "equivocal/promising." The ITS believes that the responsible, independent research it is funding will elevate the status of thermography into the "established and acceptable" category.
The ITS has also announced that it will provide matching funds to support either clinical or basic science projects involving thermography in the evaluation or diagnosis of clinically relevant problems. Funds up to $5,000 will be provided to help deflate the costs of research, including equipment, materials, and administrative expenses. Research projects may include the evaluation of pre/post-treatment thermograms of patients; comparisons of thermography and other diagnostic modalities; reliability studies of clinical interpretation of normal and abnormal subjects, or other studies.
The ITS will provide assistance to first-time grant applicants in the drafting and completion of the necessary application forms. Also, assistance will be available throughout the project to help assure significant results, acceptable for publication in a peer reviewed journal. Requests for applications should be addressed to Richard Merritt, D.C., DABCT, 1253 W. Memorial Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801.
ITS members are diplomates of the American Board of Clinical Thermography and must maintain 12 hours of postgraduate work per year in various areas of thermography.
