NIH funds research on Activator Method

May 22, 2008  — The National Institutes of Health has awarded a research grant to the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research to study the efficacy of the Activator Method in treating temporomandibular joint disorders. 

 The $2.75 million grant will fund the establishment of a four-year, multidisciplinary Developmental Center for Clinical and Translational Science in Chiropractic from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a component of the NIH.  The TMJ study utilizing the Activator Method is one of three major research projects supported by the NIH award.

The project, titled “Conservative treatment of patients with temporomandibular disorders—a pilot study” will be led by James DeVocht, DC, PhD, associate professor, Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research; and Clark Stanford, DDS, PhD, associate dean for research and director of the Office of Clinical Research. 

The pilot study will include 80 participants with TMJ disorders randomized into groups that receive chiropractic care using the Activator Method, conventional dental care, or self-care. The primary clinical sites for care will be located in Iowa City, Iowa.   This study  represents the first time the Activator Method has been specifically included in research funded by the NIH. 

 Source: Activator Methods International, www.activator.com