Feasibility study of short-term effects of chiropractic manipulation on older adults with impaired balance.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to collect preliminary information on the effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation on reducing risk of falls in older adults with impaired balance, as assessed by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). This information is necessary to develop a line of investigation into the role of chiropractic care on reduction of fall risk in this population.


METHODS
Randomized, 2-group pretest/posttest design feasibility study with a target sample size of 10 (5 per group), conducted within the outpatient health center of a chiropractic college. Inclusion criteria were as follows: aged 60 years or older, able to stand on one leg <5 seconds, and able to attend all sessions. Patients were assigned to chiropractic care (CMT) or supervised exercise (EX) and scheduled for 2 visits per week for 8 weeks.


RESULTS
A total of 26 people responded to recruitment; and 11 were enrolled: 6 in the CMT and 5 in the EX group. Two patients dropped out at the baseline visit when they were assigned to the EX group. One CMT patient dropped out in the seventh week because of a fall at home resulting in a leg fracture. All remaining patients were compliant with treatment protocols. Five of 6 CMT patients and 4 of 5 EX patients had baseline BBS scores <45, indicating increased risk of falls. At visit 16, 2 CMT and 1 of the 3 remaining EX patients had BBS scores <45. One mild and transient adverse event was noted.


CONCLUSIONS
Further investigation of the possible role of chiropractic care in reducing fall risk in this population appears feasible.
Hawk
Cheryl
C
Vice President of Research and Scholarship, Cleveland Chiropractic College, Kansas City, MO.
Pfefer
Mark T
MT
Strunk
Richard
R
Ramcharan
Michael
M
Uhl
Nathan
N
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1996 Sep;77(9):874-82
8822677
J Neurol Phys Ther. 2005 Mar;29(1):24-33
16386158
J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005 Sep;53(9):1618-22
16137297
Man Ther. 2000 Aug;5(3):151-7
11034885
Ann Intern Med. 2002  Feb 5;136(3):216-27
11827498
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1994 Oct;75(10):1082-6
7944912
Clin J Pain. 1994 Sep;10(3):197-203
7833577
Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990 Apr;116(4):424-7
2317323
N Engl J Med. 2003 Jan 2;348(1):42-9
12510042
Phys Ther. 1990 Feb;70(2):79-87
2296615
Man Ther. 2005 Feb;10(1):4-13
15681263
Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2004 Jan-Feb;38(1):11-26
14599700
Am J Occup Ther. 1998 Sep;52(8):666-71
9739401
Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1987 Jul;68(7):438-41
3606368
J Manag Care Pharm. 2005 May;11(4):307-16
15871641
Phys Ther. 1995 Jun;75(6):462-9
7770493
Phys Ther. 1996 Jun;76(6):576-83; discussion 584-5
8650273
Phys Ther. 1997 Aug;77(8):812-9
9256869
Aging Clin Exp Res. 2002 Feb;14(1):42-6
12027151
Pain. 1990 Feb;40(2):171-182
2308763
J Gen Intern Med. 1997 Jul;12(7):439-45
9229283
Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2000 Jun;33(3):519-33
10815035
J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2006 Sep;29(7):540-9
16949943
Chiropr Osteopat. 2006 Jan 27;14:3
16441893
J Clin Pharm Ther. 2001 Apr;26(2):121-8
11350535