Veterans

A Systems Approach for Assessing Low Back Pain Care Quality in Veterans Health Administration Chiropractic Visits: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

By Frank M. Painter|December 28, 2023|Chiropractic Management, Veterans|

A Systems Approach for Assessing Low Back Pain Care Quality in Veterans Health Administration Chiropractic Visits: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

SOURCE: J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2023 (Dec 22) [EPUB]

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Ryan D. Muller, DC, MS • Sarah E. Graham, DC • Xiwen Zhao, MSPH • Anna R. Sites, MSN, RN • Kelsey L. Corcoran, DC • Anthony J. Lisi, DC

VA Connecticut Healthcare System,
West Haven, Connecticut;
Yale School of Medicine,
Yale University,
New Haven, Connecticut.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore a systemwide process for assessing components of low back pain (LBP) care quality in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) chiropractic visits using electronic health record (EHR) data.

thods: MeWe performed a cross-sectional quality improvement project. We randomly sampled 1000 on-station VHA chiropractic initial visits occurring from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018, for patients with no such visits within the prior 12 months. Characteristics of LBP visits were extracted from VHA national EHR data via structured data queries and manual chart review. We developed quality indicators for history and/or examination and treatment procedures using previously published literature and calculated frequencies of visits meeting these indicators.

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Chiropractic Care of a Female Veteran After Cervical Total Disk Replacement: A Case Report

By Frank M. Painter|May 7, 2023|Chiropractic Care, Chronic Neck Pain, Radiculopathy, Veterans|

Chiropractic Care of a Female Veteran After Cervical Total Disk Replacement: A Case Report

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SOURCE: J Chiropractic Medicine 2022 (Mar); 21 (1): 60–65

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Michael Mortenson DC, Anna Montgomery MPH, Glenn Buttermann MD

Whole Health Department,
Fargo VA Healthcare System,
Fargo, North Dakota.

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to describe chiropractic care of the cervical spine for a patient who previously underwent cervical total disk replacement (CTDR) of the C5–6 and C6–7 disks.

Clinical features: A 42–year-old female veteran of the U.S. Army presented to a Veterans Affairs chiropractic clinic with chronic cervical pain and radiculopathy. She had previously undergone CTDR surgery of the C5–6 disk 9 years earlier, but the pain had become severe and radicular symptoms had returned in the upper left extremity. Imaging taken before the chiropractic referral demonstrated significant joint space narrowing and disk herniation of the C6–7 disk with protrusion to the left side.

Intervention and outcome: The patient received spinal manipulative therapy, trigger-point therapy, and manual traction to the cervical spine. However, these treatments were not effective in reducing her cervical pain and radiculopathy. She then opted for CTDR of the C6–7 disk. After surgery, the patient reported that radicular symptoms were mostly relieved and cervical pain had decreased by 50%. After 6 additional spinal manipulative therapy treatments, she reported having no neurologic symptoms and that her pain had decreased more than 70% from presurgery levels.

Conclusion: This case report is the first reported example of chiropractic care after cervical total disk replacement (CTDR) within an integrated health care environment. The patient’s cervical pain and radiculopathy improved with CTDR along with postsurgical chiropractic care.

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Chiropractic in the United States Military Health System: A 25th-Anniversary Celebration of the Early Years

By Frank M. Painter|February 5, 2022|Nonpharmacologic Therapies, Veterans|

Chiropractic in the United States Military Health System: A 25th-Anniversary Celebration of the Early Years

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: J Chiropractic Humanities 2020 (Dec); 27: 37-58

Bart N.Green DC, MSEd, PhD, Scott R.Gilford DC, Richard F.Beacham DC

Employer Based Integrated Primary Care Health Centers,
Stanford Health Care,
San Diego, California

Objective The purpose of this report is to record noteworthy events that occurred during the early years of chiropractic in the United States Military Health System (MHS).

Methods We used mixed methods to create this historical account, including documents, artifacts, research papers, and reports from personal experiences.

Results Chiropractic care was first included in the MHS in 1995, after years of legislative activity. The initial program was a 3-year study of the feasibility and advisability of integrating chiropractic in the MHS. This period was called the Chiropractic Health Care Demonstration Project; 20 pioneering chiropractors began their MHS journeys at 10 military bases in fiscal year 1995. The Demonstration Project was extended for 2 more years to gather research data, and 3 additional military facilities were added during those years to accomplish that purpose. The Demonstration Project concluded in 1999. In 2000, Congress approved the development of permanent chiropractic services and benefits for members of the uniformed services. These new clinics opened in 2002.

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Health-related Quality of Life Among United States Service Members with Low Back Pain Receiving Usual Care plus Chiropractic Care plus Usual Care vs Usual Care Alone

By Frank M. Painter|January 29, 2022|Nonpharmacologic Therapies, Veterans|

Health-related Quality of Life Among United States Service Members with Low Back Pain Receiving Usual Care plus Chiropractic Care plus Usual Care vs Usual Care Alone

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Pain Medicine 2022 (Jan 21); pnac009 [EPUB]

UCLA Department of Medicine,
Los Angeles, CA.

Department of Epidemiology,
University of Iowa,
Iowa City, IA.

Objective: This study examines Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS®)-29 v1.0 outcomes of chiropractic care in a multi-site, pragmatic clinical trial and compares the PROMIS measures to: 1) worst pain intensity from a numerical pain rating 0-10 scale, 2) 24-item Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); and 3) global improvement (modified visual analog scale).

Design: A pragmatic, prospective, multisite, parallel-group comparative effectiveness clinical trial comparing usual medical care (UMC) with UMC plus chiropractic care (UMC+CC).

Setting: 3 military treatment facilities.

Subjects: 750 active-duty military personnel with low back pain.

Methods: Linear mixed effects regression models estimated the treatment group differences. Coefficient of repeatability to estimate significant individual change.

Results: We found statistically significant mean group differences favoring UMC+CC for all PROMIS®-29 scales and the RMDQ score. Area under the curve estimates for global improvement for the PROMIS®-29 scales and the RMDQ, ranged from 0.79 to 0.83.

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Care Outcomes for Chiropractic Outpatient Veterans (COCOV): A Qualitative Study with Veteran Stakeholders From a Pilot Trial of Multimodal Chiropractic Care

By Frank M. Painter|January 18, 2022|Chiropractic Management, Cost-Effectiveness, Veterans|

Care Outcomes for Chiropractic Outpatient Veterans (COCOV): A Qualitative Study with Veteran Stakeholders From a Pilot Trial of Multimodal Chiropractic Care

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: Pilot Feasibility Stud 2022 (Jan 14); 8 (1): 6

Stacie A. Salsbury, Elissa Twist, Robert B. Wallace, Robert D. Vining, Christine M. Goertz & Cynthia R. Long

Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research,
Palmer College of Chiropractic,
741 Brady Street,
Davenport, Iowa, 52803, USA.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is common among military veterans seeking treatment in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities. As chiropractic services within VA expand, well-designed pragmatic trials and implementation studies are needed to assess clinical effectiveness and program uptake. This study evaluated veteran stakeholder perceptions of the feasibility and acceptability of care delivery and research processes in a pilot trial of multimodal chiropractic care for chronic LBP.

Methods: The qualitative study was completed within a mixed-method, single-arm, pragmatic, pilot clinical trial of chiropractic care for LBP conducted in VA chiropractic clinics. Study coordinators completed semi-structured, in person or telephone interviews with veterans near the end of the 10–week trial. Interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis using a directed approach explored salient themes related to trial implementation and delivery of chiropractic services.

Results: Of 40 participants, 24 completed interviews (60% response; 67% male gender; mean age 51.7 years). Overall, participants considered the trial protocol and procedures feasible and reported that the chiropractic care and recruitment methods were acceptable. Findings were organized into 4 domains, 10 themes, and 21 subthemes. Chiropractic service delivery domain encompassed 3 themes/8 subthemes: scheduling process (limited clinic hours, scheduling future appointments, attendance barriers); treatment frequency (treatment sufficient for LBP complaint, more/less frequent treatments); and chiropractic clinic considerations (hire more chiropractors, including female chiropractors; chiropractic clinic environment; patient-centered treatment visits). Outcome measures domain comprised 3 themes/4 subthemes: questionnaire burden (low burden vs. time-consuming or repetitive); relevance (items relevant for LBP study); and timing and individualization of measures (questionnaire timing relative to symptoms, personalized approach to outcomes measures). The online data collection domain included 2 themes/4 subthemes: user concerns (little difficulty vs. form challenges, required computer skills); and technology issues (computer/internet access, junk mail). Clinical trial planning domain included 2 themes/5 subthemes: participant recruitment (altruistic service by veterans, awareness of chiropractic availability, financial compensation); and communication methods (preferences, potential barriers).

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Effects of Chiropractic Care on Strength, Balance, and Endurance in Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel with Low Back Pain

By Frank M. Painter|July 30, 2020|Low Back Pain, Veterans|

Effects of Chiropractic Care on Strength, Balance, and Endurance in Active-Duty U.S. Military Personnel with Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The Chiro.Org Blog

SOURCE: J Altern Complement Med 2020 (Jul)

Robert Vining, Cynthia R. Long, Amy Minkalis, M. Ram Gudavalli, Ting Xia, Joan Walter, Ian Coulter, and Christine M. Goertz

Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research,
Palmer College of Chiropractic,
Davenport, IA, USA.

Objectives: To investigate whether chiropractic care influences strength, balance, and/or endurance in active-duty United States military personnel with low back pain (LBP).

Design: This study employed a prospective randomized controlled trial using a pragmatic treatment approach. Participants were randomly allocated to 4 weeks of chiropractic care or to a wait-list control. Interventions: Chiropractic care consisted of spinal manipulation, education, advice, and reassurance.

Settings/Location: Naval Air Technical Training Center branch clinic at the Naval Hospital Pensacola Florida.

Subjects: One hundred ten active-duty military personnel 18-40 years of age with self-reported LBP.

Outcome measures: Isometric pulling strength from a semisquat position was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were single-leg balance with eyes open and eyes closed, and trunk muscle endurance using the Biering-Sorensen test. Patient-reported outcomes such as pain severity and disability were also measured. Outcomes were measured at baseline and 4 weeks. Linear mixed-effects regression models over baseline and 4 weeks were used for analysis.

Results: Participants had mean age of 30 years (18-40), 17% were female, 33% were non-white, and 86% reported chronic LBP.

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