title: A single cohort prospective trial of the immediate effects of spinal manipulation on visual acuity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no high quality evidence on which to judge the generalizability of isolated reports of improvement in vision following manipulation. The current paucity of research results also precludes the thoughtful design of a controlled, prospective clinical study. Hence, the purpose of the current study was to test the feasibility of conducting a clinical trial of the acute effects of spinal manipulation on visual acuity.
  
  
  METHODS
  New adult patients presenting to a community based chiropractic clinic were recruited into a single cohort prospective trial to determine the immediate effects of cervical spinal manipulation on visual acuity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experimental protocol was well accepted by patients and caused minimal or no disruption of the clinic routine. By some measures, chiropractic treatment was accompanied by statistically significant improvements in visual acuity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that it is quite feasible to conduct a prospective, community based clinical study of the acute effects of spinal manipulation on visual acuity.
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Athaide
authors.affiliation: Private practice, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rego
authors.affiliation: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Budgell
keywords: chiropractic; feasibility; pilot study; spinal manipulation; visual acuity