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01-05-2011 | Review Article

An independent review of NCCAM-funded studies of chiropractic

Authors: Edzard Ernst, Paul Posadzki

Published in: Clinical Rheumatology | Issue 5/2011

Abstract

To promote an independent and critical evaluation of 11 randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of chiropractic funded by the National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Electronic searches were conducted to identify all relevant RCTs. Key data were extracted and the risk of bias of each study was determined. Ten RCTs were included, mostly related to chiropractic spinal manipulation for musculoskeletal problems. Their quality was frequently questionable. Several RCTs failed to report adverse effects and the majority was not described in sufficient detail to allow replication. The criticism repeatedly aimed at NCCAM seems justified, as far as their RCTs of chiropractic is concerned. It seems questionable whether such research is worthwhile.

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Title: An independent review of NCCAM-funded studies of chiropractic
Authors: Edzard Ernst
Paul Posadzki
Publication date: 01-05-2011
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Clinical Rheumatology / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 0770-3198
Electronic ISSN: 1434-9949
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-010-1663-4

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