| Abstract/Notes |
Background: Osteoarthritis of the hip (HOA) affects ≥ 30 million Americans, and is a leading cause of disability and pain. Many standard treatments are minimally effective for HOA and there is a need to develop better, more effective treatments. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a prospective, single group, pre-test, posttest design or (SGPPD) chiropractic protocol and assess the effects of this treatment for HOA. Methods: Twenty seven individuals who did not qualify for ongoing HOA RCTs were selected (average age 61). These patients had “lower” WOMAC scores, joint replacement, or significant co-morbidity. A prospectively planned experimental treatment, consisting of axial manipulation to the hip with stretch combined with manipulative therapy to the spine, knee, ankle or foot was delivered. Treatment was assessed for descriptive and statistical with-in group change using valid and reliable outcome measures. Results: Data were normally distributed. The primary outcome measure, the Overall Therapy Effectiveness Tool (OTE) assessed with chi-square, demonstrated that 85.2% “improved” after the 9th visit, p=0.001 and 77.8% “improved” at the 3 month follow up, p=0.004. Using the Pairedt test, WOMAC improved 58.6% at the 9th visit, p=0.000 and 50.1% at follow up, p=0.000. Harris Hip Scale and ROM improvements were also significant p≤0.05. Conclusion: In this SGPPD, patients received an experimental treatment and demonstrated large,
significant, and clinically meaningful within group change (p≤0.05). However, within the limitations of this design, it is not possible to claim efficacy but data appear to support the findings of other investigators. Further, though the experimental treatment appears helpful for HOA, a randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm these findings and is currently underway. This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; full text by subscription.
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