Predicting Outcomes for Chiropractic Patients with Back Pain in Finland
Author Information
Author(s): Stefan Malmqvist, Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde, Tuomo Ahola, Olli Andersson, Kristian Ekström, Harri Pekkarinen, Markku Turpeinen, Niels Wedderkopp
Primary Institution: The Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger
Hypothesis
Can the predictive value of certain clinical observations for chiropractic patients with low back pain (LBP) be reproduced in Finland?
Conclusion
The study confirms that it is possible to predict short-term outcomes in patients with LBP receiving chiropractic care.
Supporting Evidence
- 84% of patients who met none of the bad criteria were classified as 'definitely better' at the 4th visit.
- The original Swedish model was successfully reproduced in the Finnish sample.
- Improvement at the 2nd visit had an odds ratio of approximately 5.
Takeaway
Doctors can tell if a patient with back pain will get better by looking at how they feel after their second visit. If they don't feel better, they probably won't get better later.
Methodology
Multi-centre prospective outcome study with internal control groups, using standardized questionnaires in private chiropractic practices.
Potential Biases
Potential bias from selection of practitioners and patients, as well as reporting bias from patients and chiropractors.
Limitations
The study design may introduce bias due to the lack of a control group and reliance on self-reported outcomes.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 506 men and 471 women, with ages ranging from 8 to 90 years, and a mean age of 45.5 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Confidence Interval
Not specified
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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