We’ve all heard that old bromide.
Even after years of published articles, decrying the detrimental effects of backpack overloading on the pediatric spine, children are still routinely required to carry more than the recommended upper limit of 10% of their body weight in schoolbooks. (more…)
Source: American Chiropractic Association
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a directive that orders the Pentagon to make chiropractic care a standard benefit for all active duty military personnel. The legislation is contained in HR 2647, a bill authorizing defense programs in fiscal year 2010, and is based in part on recommendations from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC).
The bill—passed by the full House on June 25—also contains language allowing for chiropractic demonstration projects at overseas military locations and clarifies that chiropractic care at U.S. military facilities is to be performed only by a doctor of chiropractic. (more…)
As long as we’re on the topic of Evidence-based Practice, you’ll enjoy Anthony Rosner PhD’s article “The Shifting Sands of Evidence-based Medicine”.
Robert D. Mootz, DC, who is the Medical Director for the State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries also penned an interesting review in JMPT titled “When Evidence and Practice Collide” (FULL TEXT) that sheds a lot of light on EBM issues.
After enjoying John’s posting on the Canadian BCA/Singh case, I feel it’s time to pour some gas on the conversation, to heat things up a bit.
First, you can review the articles under consideration at the Chiropractic and Infantile Colic page. (more…)
Modafinil is a popular drug used by people who want or need to stay alert. It has become a popular stimulant, used by soldiers to stay awake and by citizens looking for a safe brain boost, including one in 10 researchers. The FDA issued their “Approved” stamp for it to be used for treating narcolepsy and sleep disorders in 1998. At that time, scientists claimed that it did not change levels of dopamine in those who took the drug. Increases in dopamine levels are considered a chemical signature of possible addictiveness to a drug. Since its FDA approval, modafinil is now being used “off-label” to treat depression, Parkinson’s disease and fatigue.
However, the March 2009 issue of JAMA published this study;
Volkow N, et. al., Effects of Modafinil on Dopamine and Dopamine Transporters in the Male Human Brain., JAMA, Vol. 301, No. 11, March 18, 2009.
You can read more on this report at the Wired Science Blog.
SOURCE: Am J Psychiatry. 2009 (Sep); 166 (9): 992-1001
This new study revealed that stimulant medications, specifically methylphenidate, are associated with a 6- to 7-times increased risk for sudden death in children and adolescents. UGH!
What does the FDA say about that? “Given the limitation of this study’s methodology, the FDA is unable to conclude that these data affect the overall risk and benefit profile of stimulant medications used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity.”