How can a doctor possibly keep up with the myriad research being published each week? The truth is you can't do it on your own. You need a resource that gives you the gist of a lot of research that you can quickly read: a resource that helps identify the kind of research that may be applicable to your practice, while providing the information necessary to obtain the original papers for a more in-depth understanding.
That is what the Chiropractic Research Review does. The CRR divides the current research into 10 categories: clinical chiropractic; musculoskeletal health; chiropractic pediatrics; sports and fitness; women's health; general health; food, nutrition/herbs; diagnostic imaging/modalities; homeopathy; and acupuncture/oriental medicine. The highlights of the research are described. You're in and out quickly. And when you desire to take a look at the full research papers on any of the synopses, the contact number to order is supplied.
I was particularly struck by the wealth of pediatric research in the CRR. Take the 18-year longitudinal study of 1,000 New Zealand children which examined the associations between breastfeeding and childhood cognitive ability and academic achievement.
The breastfeeding practices of the mothers were assessed from the birth of the children through their first year. From ages 8-18, the children were given a range of cognitive and academic tests. The study revealed "small but consistent tendencies for increased duration of breastfeeding to be associated with increased IQ, increased performance on standardized tests, higher teacher ratings of classroom performance, and better high-school achievement."
These findings are part of a growing body of evidence suggesting that breastfeeding has multiple health and other benefits for children.
Some of the other study topics that caught my eye were: adjusting the pediatric spine; age-related changes in skeletal muscle strength ("changes seen in the muscles of the elderly seem to be the result not of aging, but of lifestyle"); mechanical and graphical evaluation of the Gonstead pelvic radiographic analysis; the short-live effectiveness of ankle taping; and the links between nutrition and migraines.
There is also a patient version of the CRR (To Your Health), available in both an e-mail and printed form. The patient version is written in laymen's language, and will benefit your patients and your practice.
Editor's note: To subscribe to the CRR, or for a free sample, call 1-800 359-2289.
Arnold Cianciulli, DC
Bayonne, New Jersey