Study of Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Neck-Related Headaches Reports Findings on Dose and Efficacy

Previous research suggests that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) may be helpful for various types of chronic headaches, including cervicogenic headache (CGH), which is associated with neck pain and dysfunction. In a recent randomized controlled trial, NCCAM-funded researchers from Western States Chiropractic College and other institutions evaluated the dose (number of treatments) and relative efficacy of SMT in a group of 80 patients with chronic CGH.

Job Opening - Scientific Program Analyst

As a Scientific Program Analyst, you will work closely with NCCAM staff in providing guidance, advice, and assistance for policy, program planning, and evaluation. You will serve as the focal point within the Center for the initiation and conduct of evaluations of NCCAM activities. You will be responsible for updating and revising ongoing processes to identify research accomplishments and trends in support of the program planning, analysis, and evaluation functions of the Center. You will collaborate with NCCAM staff to create analytic databases for ongoing program evaluation of crosscutting issues. You will be responsible for coordinating or conducting in-depth analyses of significant issues or subject matter areas essential to science planning and the establishment of priorities.

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April Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Some go back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines.

IBS is a common disorder and happens more often in women than men. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. There is no specific test for IBS. However, your doctor may run tests to be sure you don’t have other diseases. These tests may include stool sampling tests, blood tests, and x-rays. Your doctor may also do a test called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and medicine.

April Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem that affects the large intestine. It can cause abdominal cramping, bloating, and a change in bowel habits. Some people with the disorder have constipation. Some have diarrhea. Some go back and forth between constipation and diarrhea. Although IBS can cause a great deal of discomfort, it does not harm the intestines.

IBS is a common disorder and happens more often in women than men. No one knows the exact cause of IBS. There is no specific test for IBS. However, your doctor may run tests to be sure you don’t have other diseases. These tests may include stool sampling tests, blood tests, and x-rays. Your doctor may also do a test called a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Most people diagnosed with IBS can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and medicine.

Preliminary Trial Finds Possible Benefits of Osteopathic Treatment for Back Pain During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Most pregnant women experience low-back pain, which often is associated with sleep disturbance and can affect daily activities. Because of possible risks associated with many pain medications, pregnant women and their prenatal care providers often consider using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as massage and spinal manipulation, for back pain. In a recent NCCAM-funded study, researchers at the University of North Texas investigated the effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on back pain during the third trimester of pregnancy.

In this exploratory trial, 144 women in weeks 28–30 of pregnancy received usual obstetrical care only, usual care plus a systematic osteopathic manipulative treatment protocol provided by an osteopathic specialist, or usual care plus a sham treatment in which the specialist applied pressure with a nonfunctional ultrasound instrument. At each of seven 30-minute weekly sessions, researchers measured back-specific functioning (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) and level of back pain (an 11-point scale). At the end of 7 weeks, back-specific functioning deteriorated significantly less in the osteopathic manipulative treatment group than in the other two groups. Average level of back pain decreased in the osteopathic manipulative treatment group, remained unchanged in the sham ultrasound group, and increased in the usual-care-only group; however, the between-group differences were not statistically significant.

Preliminary Trial Finds Possible Benefits of Osteopathic Treatment for Back Pain During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Most pregnant women experience low-back pain, which often is associated with sleep disturbance and can affect daily activities. Because of possible risks associated with many pain medications, pregnant women and their prenatal care providers often consider using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, such as massage and spinal manipulation, for back pain. In a recent NCCAM-funded study, researchers at the University of North Texas investigated the effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on back pain during the third trimester of pregnancy.

In this exploratory trial, 144 women in weeks 28–30 of pregnancy received usual obstetrical care only, usual care plus a systematic osteopathic manipulative treatment protocol provided by an osteopathic specialist, or usual care plus a sham treatment in which the specialist applied pressure with a nonfunctional ultrasound instrument. At each of seven 30-minute weekly sessions, researchers measured back-specific functioning (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire) and level of back pain (an 11-point scale). At the end of 7 weeks, back-specific functioning deteriorated significantly less in the osteopathic manipulative treatment group than in the other two groups. Average level of back pain decreased in the osteopathic manipulative treatment group, remained unchanged in the sham ultrasound group, and increased in the usual-care-only group; however, the between-group differences were not statistically significant.

Ginkgo Ineffective Against High Blood Pressure in Large Study of Older Adults

The herbal dietary supplement Ginkgo biloba did not lower blood pressure (BP) or reduce the incidence of hypertension (high BP) in a large group of older men and women, according to research recently reported in the American Journal of Hypertension. Although preliminary studies in animals and humans have indicated that ginkgo might have antihypertensive effects, this research was the first to explore that possibility in a large, long-term, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The research was part of the NCCAM-funded Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study. The 3,069 GEM participants took either 120 mg of ginkgo or an identical-appearing placebo twice daily. Researchers then monitored a variety of health status measures, focusing on cognitive decline and dementia but also looking at blood pressure and other aspects of aging. Participants’ median age was 79 years; median followup was 6.1 years.

Ginkgo Ineffective Against High Blood Pressure in Large Study of Older Adults

The herbal dietary supplement Ginkgo biloba did not lower blood pressure (BP) or reduce the incidence of hypertension (high BP) in a large group of older men and women, according to research recently reported in the American Journal of Hypertension. Although preliminary studies in animals and humans have indicated that ginkgo might have antihypertensive effects, this research was the first to explore that possibility in a large, long-term, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

The research was part of the NCCAM-funded Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study. The 3,069 GEM participants took either 120 mg of ginkgo or an identical-appearing placebo twice daily. Researchers then monitored a variety of health status measures, focusing on cognitive decline and dementia but also looking at blood pressure and other aspects of aging. Participants’ median age was 79 years; median followup was 6.1 years.

New Director’s Message: The Research Puzzle

Last fall, President Obama visited the National Institutes of Health to discuss the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. During his speech, the President made a comment that strongly resonated with me:

"Breakthroughs in medical research take far more than the occasional flash of brilliance, as important as that can be. Progress takes time; it takes hard work; it can be unpredictable; it can require a willingness to take risks and going down some blind alleys occasionally—figuring out what doesn’t work is sometimes as important as figuring out what does—all of this needs the support of government." [emphasis mine]

I think this concept is often lost in our eagerness to find answers that will bring help to people suffering from disease.

New Director’s Message: The Research Puzzle

Last fall, President Obama visited the National Institutes of Health to discuss the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. During his speech, the President made a comment that strongly resonated with me:

"Breakthroughs in medical research take far more than the occasional flash of brilliance, as important as that can be. Progress takes time; it takes hard work; it can be unpredictable; it can require a willingness to take risks and going down some blind alleys occasionally—figuring out what doesn’t work is sometimes as important as figuring out what does—all of this needs the support of government." [emphasis mine]

I think this concept is often lost in our eagerness to find answers that will bring help to people suffering from disease.

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