Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Mar;16(1):64-71.
doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.10.004. Epub 2016 Dec 13.

Chiropractic Treatments for Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Narrative Review Based on SOSORT Outcome Criteria

Mark W Morningstar  1 , Clayton J Stitzel  2 , Aatif Siddiqui  3 , Brian Dovorany  4
Affiliations
Review

Chiropractic Treatments for Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Narrative Review Based on SOSORT Outcome Criteria

Mark W Morningstar et al. J Chiropr Med. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the current body of literature on chiropractic treatment of idiopathic scoliosis against the 2014 consensus paper of the Society on Scoliosis Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Treatment (SOSORT) and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Non-Operative Management Committee for outcome reporting in nonoperative treatments.

Methods: A search of the PubMed and Index to Chiropractic Literature databases for studies published from January 2000 through February 2016 detailing specific treatments and outcomes for idiopathic scoliosis was conducted.

Results: A total of 27 studies that discussed chiropractic scoliosis treatments were identified. Of these, there were 15 case reports, 10 case series, 1 prospective cohort, and 1 randomized clinical trial. Of the 27 studies, only 2 described their outcomes as recommended in the 2014 SOSORT and SRS Non-Operative Management Committee consensus paper.

Conclusion: The 2014 SOSORT and SRS Non-Operative Committee consensus paper details the format and types of outcomes they collectively believe are the most important and relevant to the patient. Among the chiropractic studies located in this review, 2 described outcomes consistent with how SOSORT recommends they be reported. Given that these consensus papers form the basis for nonoperative treatment recommendations and outcome reporting, future chiropractic studies should seek to report their outcomes as recommended by these papers. This will allow for better interprofessional collaboration and methodologic comparison.

Keywords: Chiropractic; Rehabilitation; Scoliosis; Spine.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Moen KY, Nachemson AL. Treatment of scoliosis: an historical perspective. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1999;24(24):2570–2575. - PubMed
    1. Hawes MC. The use of exercises in the treatment of scoliosis: an evidence-based critical review of the literature. Pediatr Rehabil. 2003;6(3-4):171–182. - PubMed
    1. Baer HA. Divergence and convergence in two systems of manual medicine: osteopathy and chiropractic in the United States. Med Anthropol Q. 1987;1(2):176–193.
    1. Johnson C. Use of the term subluxation in publications during the formative years of the chiropractic profession. J Chiropr Humanit. 2011;18(1):1–9. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Feise RJ. An inquiry into chiropractors' intention to treat adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a telephone survey. J Manip Physiol Ther. 2001;24(3):177–182. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources