Chiropractic and Exercise Management of Spinal Dysfunction in Seniors

Long-term chiropractic management for seniors with neck and back problems

Seniors are the fasted-growing segment of the US population. As individuals age, they experience more health care problems, including neck and back pain. Neck and back pain can reduce older individuals’ quality of life and their ability to physically carry out daily activities. While there is research suggesting that chiropractic and exercise are helpful for neck and back pain in the general adult population, there has been very little research on older patients.

This is the first full-scale randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effects of long term chiropractic care and exercise for seniors suffering from neck and back problems. Our primary goal is to compare long term care (9 months of chiropractic and exercise) to short term care (3 months of chiropractic and exercise) and the effects these approaches have on disability. We will also measure seniors’ pain, quality of life, improvement, satisfaction, activity levels, motion, strength and balance.

Project Status: Recruitment complete

Study Name: Chiropractic and Exercise Management of Spinal Dysfunction in Seniors

Principal Investigator: Michele Maiers, DC, MPH

Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

Grant number: R18HP15127

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01057706