Abstract
Background and purpose
The musculoskeletal system is a common, but often overlooked, cause of chest pain. Little is known about the efficacy of spinal manipulation for this condition. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the relative effectiveness of two conservative treatment approaches for acute musculoskeletal chest pain, 1) a spinal manipulation-based therapy as a typical example of chiropractic treatment and 2) self-management as an example of minimal intervention.
Methods and results
In a non-blinded, randomised controlled trial set at an emergency cardiology department and four outpatient chiropractic clinics, 115 consecutive patients with acute chest pain and no clear medical diagnosis at initial presentation were included. After a baseline evaluation, patients with musculoskeletal chest pain were randomized to four weeks of chiropractic treatment or self-management, with post-treatment questionnaire follow-up four and 12 weeks later. Primary outcome measures were numeric change in pain intensity (11-point box numerical rating scale) and self-perceived change in pain (7-point ordinal scale). Secondary measures included Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores, change in pain intensity (chest, thoracic spine, neck and shoulder/arm), and self-perceived change in general health. Preliminary results will be available at the time of presentation.
Conclusions
This is the first randomised controlled trial assessing chiropractic treatment versus a minimal intervention in patients with musculoskeletal chest pain. Results will indicate whether chiropractic treatment is a useful option for patients with musculoskeletal chest pain, but the design does not allow for standardisation of treatment or identification of potentially active ingredients of care.
Conflicts of interest: None
Sources of funding: Foundation of Chiropractic Research and Postgraduate Education, Denmark and Funen County, Denmark. The funding bodies had no role in designing the study, collection, analysing and interpreting of data, in writing or decision to submit this abstract.
This abstract has not been previously published in whole or substantial part nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting.
