In a recent pilot study, researchers delved into the effects of chiropractic care on balance, chronic pain, and associated dizziness among older adults with impaired balance. Led by Cheryl Hawk, Jerrilyn A. Cambron, and Mark T. Pfefer, (2009) the study aimed to gather preliminary insights into the efficacy of both limited and extended courses of chiropractic treatment.

The study, which targeted a sample size of 30 participants, employed a randomized design comparing two different treatment schedules to a control group receiving no treatment. Group 1 underwent a limited 8-week course of chiropractic care, while Group 2 received an extended treatment spanning 8 weeks followed by monthly sessions for 10 months. Group 3 served as the control with no treatment administered. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at 1, 2, 6, and 12 months post-treatment.

The primary outcome measure was the change in the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores from baseline to 1 year. Additionally, changes in the Pain Disability Index and Dizziness Handicap Index were evaluated.

Results indicated that out of the 34 enrolled patients (13 in Group 1, 15 in Group 2, and 6 in Group 3), only 5 exhibited baseline BBS scores indicating increased fall risk. Notably, there were no reported adverse events related to the treatment. However, nine patients dropped out of the study by the 1-year mark. Analysis revealed no significant differences in median BBS scores within or between groups from baseline to 12 months.

Interestingly, median Pain Disability Index scores showed more improvement from baseline to 1 year in Group 2 compared to Groups 1 and 3, although the difference was not statistically significant (P = .06, Kruskal-Wallis test). For the nine patients experiencing dizziness, both Group 1 and Group 2 demonstrated clinically significant improvements in Dizziness Handicap Index scores at 1 month, with sustained improvements thereafter, unlike Group 3.

In conclusion, the findings suggest that further investigation into the potential benefits of chiropractic maintenance care, particularly through extended schedules, for addressing balance and pain-related disability is both feasible and warranted. Moreover, exploring the efficacy of both limited and extended chiropractic care schedules in managing idiopathic dizziness among patients merits further research attention.

Reference: Hawk, C., Cambron, J. A., & Pfefer, M. T. (2009). Pilot study of the effect of a limited and extended course of chiropractic care on balance, chronic pain, and dizziness in older adults. Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics, 32(6), 438-447.