PCORI approves funding for research by chiropractic physician

January 23, 2013 — The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) announced that the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) approved funding for a research project lead by ACA member Michael J. Schneider, DC, PhD, that studies non-surgical treatment methods for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

The news comes after a highly competitive evaluation process; only five percent of the applications submitted were awarded funding. In all, 25 applicants were approved for contracts totaling $40.7 million over the next three years as part of PCORI’s patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research projects-the first of four areas of its National Priorities for Research and Research Agenda.

All proposals were approved pending a business and programmatic review by PCORI staff and completion of a formal award contract.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is found in about 30 percent of older adults, and it is the most common reason people older than 65 have back surgery. However, such operations are expensive and risky, with a high number of complications that cause many patients to be re-admitted to the hospital.

Moreover, a large number of patients with stenosis can be treated with other methods, such as chiropractic services, exercise, physical therapy and medication-healthcare providers just don’t have enough research indicating which treatment works best for which patient and under which circumstances. Schneider’s study aims to provide more information about the effectiveness of the various non-surgical choices for managing stenosis.

“While chiropractic physicians and our patients already know we offer effective, non-surgical back care, this study will provide further evidence and raise awareness of non-surgical options among healthcare providers in particular, resulting in better outcomes for patients,” said ACA President Keith Overland, DC.

Schneider has vast experience and expertise related to low-back and neck pain, manipulation and mobilization, soft tissue manual therapy, myofascial pain and fibromyalgia, and complementary and alternative medicine. In addition to running a private practice since 1984, Schneider is affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, where he is an assistant professor in the Dept. of Physical Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, and an assistant professor of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

He also serves as a postgraduate faculty member of New York, Texas, National, and University of Bridgeport Chiropractic Colleges. A graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and ACA member since 1983, Schneider serves as a member of ACA’s Market Competition Task Force and the Research Review and Advisory Committee.

For additional information on this and other projects that were awarded, click here.

Source: American Chiropractic Association, acatoday.org