Research

2023 Publications

1. Changes in Intradiscal Pressure During Flexion-Distraction Type of Chiropractic Procedure: A Pilot Cadaveric Study | Integrative Medicine Reports (liebertpub.com)
2. Intervertebral Movements and Changes in Intervertebral Foraminal Morphology in the Lumbar Spine During a Chiropractic Procedure: A Cadaveric Study | Integrative Medicine Reports (liebertpub.com)
3. Opioid Use Reduction in Failed Back Surgery Syndrome Patients at Three Months Utilizing Manual Spinal Decompression Manipulation | JIANM (ianmmedicine.org)

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approved Research Projects Currently in Progress at KUCCM

1. Prospective study of post-surgical continued pain (PSCP) patients undergoing flexion distraction spinal manipulation. Analysis utilizing the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and numerical pain scale. This multi-center two-year prospective cohort study has been completed and the data analysis and manuscript preparation are in progress.
2. Prospective study of patients diagnosed with spinal stenosis pain undergoing chiropractic flexion distraction spinal manipulation. The purpose of this 1 ½ year study is to document clinical effects on pain and function. This study is in progress with multiple chiropractic offices collecting data at specified times during the treatment process and long-term follow-up. ​​
3. Ultrasound imaging of lumbar spine during flexion-distraction procedure for lumbar spine. This descriptive observational study aims to understand the mechanism of flexion-distraction treatment by documenting anatomical biomechanical changes in the spine and determining the reliability of the separation distance between bony landmarks using ultrasound imaging.

Projects Planned to Initiate During 2022

1. Biomechanical understanding of high velocity low amplitude spinal manipulation by measuring forces and movements utilizing specialized force and motion sensing technology.
2. Training of students using force, movement, and EMG activity measurement during chiropractic manipulation.
3. Understanding and evaluation of flexion-relaxation phenomenon on physically active people vs. sedentary people using surface EMG activity of spinal muscles.

Scheduled Presentations

• "PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF POST-SURGICAL CONTINUED PAIN (PSCP) PATIENTS UNDERGOING CHIROPRACTIC FLEXION DISTRACTION SPINAL MANIPULATION: ANALYSIS UTILIZING PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES AT 3 MONTHS." Poster presentation session at the Inaugural International Consortium on Manual Therapies Conference in May, 2022.
• "INTRA-OBSERVER RELIABILITY OF ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENTS OF LUMBAR SPINOUS PROCESSES IN A PRONE POSITION ON A CHIROPRACTIC TABLE". Poster presentation session at the Inaugural International Consortium on Manual Therapies Conference in May, 2022.
• Gudavalli, M.R., Kruse, R., White, B., Stacey Rider. In-Vivo Measurement of Spinous Process Separation During Axial Distraction. Accepted for Poster Presentation at the North American Congress on Biomechanics (NACOB 2022), To be held in August 20-26, Ottawa, Canada.
• Support Us​

To help provide support for our growing research department and become a world leader in chiropractic research, consider a donation to KUCCM. The proceeds will provide the KUCCM research department the opportunity to complete both current and new clinical research studies for conditions commonly treated by chiropractic physicians.