CUKC shares chiropractic research at national conference

The efforts of the Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) research department were on display for their peers at the 2024 Association of Chiropractic Colleges-Research Agenda Conference (ACCRAC).

Held March 21-23 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, the conference celebrated its 30th year of gathering some of the most well-known and influential educators and researchers in the chiropractic profession. It was the 27th year CUKC has presented research at ACCRAC.

For three decades, the conference has provided a venue for thought leaders within the chiropractic educational and research community to stay informed about the concepts and innovations that will help shape the profession.

“ACCRAC has become the profession’s premier education and research conference, drawing attendees from all U.S. chiropractic programs,” said Carl Cleveland III, DC, CUKC President.

According to the ACCRAC website, the 2024 conference investigated various topics, including “competency-based training, technology and education, artificial intelligence, remote and retail healthcare, remote patient monitoring, wearable medical devices, diversity, equity, inclusion and access, personalized healthcare, treating the whole person and wellness.”

Mark Pfefer, DC, director of research at CUKC, said the university had 10 presentations accepted for the conference and was represented there by seven of its researchers. He indicated that he received positive feedback from conference attendees about the quality and volume of work completed by CUKC.

Calling all of the CUKC research “timely and rigorous,” Pfefer said one submission of interest was the work done by Steven Reece, DC, an assistant professor at CUKC.

“I was especially excited about Dr. Reece’s review of human motion assessment using inertial measurement systems,” Pfefer said. “This relates to the new equipment in our Sports Performance Center. We are beginning a line of clinical research using this equipment to assess functional changes in athletes and patients before and after chiropractic care and exercise.”

Cleveland, one of the founding members of the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC), said he was grateful to the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) for covering the cost of attendance for two students from each of the participating chiropractic colleges.

“Students represent the next generation of chiropractic educators and clinician scientists,” Cleveland said, “and the NBCE is to be commended for this ongoing investment in the profession’s future.”

“ACCRAC is an important showcase for doctor of chiropractic programs around the world to show new and innovative research and scholarship, to share ideas and to promote collaboration,” Pfefer said.

Along with the research that will aid the continued growth of chiropractic, Pfefer said he witnessed other positive signs at the conference this year. Most interesting to him was the broadening of employment opportunities for doctors of chiropractic.

“I was quite impressed with the number of chiropractors working within various multidisciplinary healthcare settings, including hospitals and the VA system,” Pfefer said. “Chiropractors now have a lot of opportunities and options to work in a variety of healthcare settings.”

For a closer look at CUKC research, click here.

About Cleveland University-Kansas City (formerly Cleveland Chiropractic College)

Founded in 1922, Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) is an independent, nonprofit, regionally accredited institution of higher education. Through the College of Chiropractic and College of Health Sciences, the institution fulfills an ongoing mission to educate and develop leaders in health promotion.

Cleveland University-Kansas City is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). HLC accreditation verifies that higher education institutions meet high standards and are engaged in continuous improvement. HLC’s institutional accreditation includes all degree levels as well as on-site and online offerings. CUKC degree offerings have program accreditation from the appropriate agencies/organizations.

The president, Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, is a fourth-generation chiropractor and the grandson of the university’s founders.

The University offers the following degrees: Doctor of Chiropractic, B.S. in Human Biology, B.S./D.C. program, B.S. in Exercise Science, M.S. in Exercise Physiology and Sports Performance, the graduate Certificate in Sports Performance, A.A. in Biological Sciences, A.A.S. in Radiologic Technology.

• Our students are from 26 states and two countries, with approximately 11,600 chiropractic alumni throughout the U.S. and internationally.
• The CUKC Chiropractic Health Center on the Overland Park campus serves the public with nearly 30,000 visits annually.
• The combined economic contribution of CUKC in 2021 was $55.7 million. This includes a direct impact of $34.8 million and an indirect/induced impact of $20.9 million.

To learn more about CUKC, visit cleveland.edu.