Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, chiropractic’s flagship scholarly research journal, has accepted for publication a CCCLA study on chiropractic management of patellofemoral pain syndrome (pain around or behind the kneecap made worse by activities). According to Dr. Brantingham, Director of Research at CCCLA, “this project was incredibly useful for developing the ability of the clinic and the research department to work together.” As is so often the case, success breeds further success. With a track record on lower extremity research, Brantingham and colleagues were able to secure a grant from the UniHealth Foundation in Los Angeles to study chiropractic management of hip osteoarthritis. This is a fully powered clinical trial (with enough patients for results to potentially reach statistical significance) that is currently underway at CCCLA. In addition, another proposal for a trial on knee osteoarthritis is currently under consideration for a grant from another Los Angeles area foundation.

Other recent research that has been published (either by CCCLA faculty alone or jointly with Durban University of Technology in Durban, South Africa or the University of Surrey in Guildford, England) includes another trial on knee osteoarthritis, a prospective case series on meniscus injuries as well as the first studies of chiropractic adjusting for shoulder impingement, adhesive capsulitis and rotator cuff tendinopathy

At CCCKC, three studies have recently been completed. In one, patients over 65 in the Brookside and Overland Park clinics were observed over time, assessing the effects of chiropractic care on balance and function. Another, done in Raytown, Missouri, evaluated chiropractic care for residents of  independent living and assisted living facilities. The third project is a neck pain and dizziness study.

Research at the two campuses of Cleveland Chiropractic College is opening new doors for the profession and the College. Recent projects, particularly the lower extremity studies in Los Angeles and geriatrics studies in Kansas City, are the first steps in what promises to be a multi-year, in-depth exploration of topics of great importance to the chiropractic profession and the patients it serves.

Cleveland Chiropractic College Research

CURRENT EXTRAMURAL FUNDING

Foundation for Chiropractic Education and Research, Kansas City Campus: (Principal Investigator: Hawk)
Pilot Study: Does Chiropractic Care Decrease Fall Risk in Older Adults? $112,000 (2007-2009)

UniHealth Foundation, Los Angeles Campus: (PI: Brantingham)
Pilot Study: A randomized clinical trial comparing two manipulative protocols to assess changes in pain, ROM, quality of life, cost, and risk for falls in subjects with hip osteoarthritis. $100,000 (2008-2010

FCER, Kansas City Campus (PI: Hawk)
Consensus Process to Develop “Best Practices” Document for Chiropractic Care for Children $96,695 (2008-2009)

PUBLICATIONS 2008-2009
(Names of Cleveland Chiropractic College faculty in bold type)

Atkinson M, Matthews R, Brantingham JW, Globe G, Cassa T, Bonnefin D, Korporaal C. A randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of shoulder manipulation vs. placebo in the treatment of shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tendinopathy.J Amer Chiropr Assoc. Dec 2008 45(9):11-26.

Brantingham JW, Globe G, Tong V, Bates CC, Jukes J, Van-Houten C, Doorly K. Diversified chiropractic adjusting and management in the treatment of 5 clinically diagnosed meniscus injury patients with MRI imaging in 4 cases. J Amer Chiropr Assoc 2008 July;45(5):11-24.