The only study thus far selected to receive grant funds is "Prostaglandins in Dysmenorrhea: Effects of Manipulation," to be performed by the research department of the National College of Chiropractic (NCC). NCC has been awarded a $370,119 share of the NCMIC grant. According to Dr. Patricia Brennan, NCC's dean of research, the grant money will be disbursed over three years, with a first year's apportionment of $123,886.
The original pilot study on chiropractic treatment and dysmenorrhea was conceived and developed by then NCC students DCs Katrina Kokjohn, and Della Schmid, and supervised by Dr. Brennan (see Nov. 8, 1991 issue of "DC").
Primary dysmenorrhea is believed to be caused by prostaglandins, a group of naturally occurring fatty acids found in various tissues that induce muscle contractions. Abnormally high levels of prostaglandin found in dysmenorrheic women during the first 48 hours of their menstrual cycle are thought to cause painful uterine contractions.
The new project is a full randomized clinical trial that will evaluate pain and prostaglandin levels in women with primary dysmenorrhea, and the effect of chiropractic treatment on this condition. The women will be treated three times a week during the week preceding menstruation over three menstruation cycles. Both subjective evaluation of pain as measured with a visual analog scale and prostaglandin levels will be measured on the first day of menstruation both before and after treatment.
The research team includes FCER's 1992 Researcher of the Year Patricia C. Brennan, PhD, as the principal investigator; Maria A. Hondras, DC, clinical coordinator; Jerilyn Backman, DC, assistant clinical coordinator; Jean Bernius, recruitment coordinator; Meg Graham, laboratory supervisor; and DCs Dennis Skogsbergh, Daniel Driscoll, Thomas Collins, and Dana Lawrence as treating physicians.
"The significance of this study is far-reaching," said Anthony Rosner, PhD, FCER's director of research. "Dr. Brennan's study is one of the very first to provide a biochemical outcome measurement in a randomized clinical trial in chiropractic research. This new yardstick should encourage collaborations with members of other health care disciplines and increase the accessibility of chiropractic research to other fields of biomedical research."
Two other studies are being considered for funding through NCMIC's grant, but these have not yet been announced.
Arnold E. Cianciulli, MS, DC, FICC, FACC, president of NCMIC, said his company "...feels strongly that supporting research through FCER provides the kind of data which allows for the professional development of chiropractic ..." Dr. Cianciulli urged chiropractors interested in the future of their profession to support the FCER and research.
Dynamic Chiropractic editorial staff members research, investigate and write articles for the publication on an ongoing basis. To contact the Editorial Department or submit an article of your own for consideration, email
.