Study of Chiropractic and Neuromuscular Reeducation as a Treatment for Autism Symptoms

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study explores the effectiveness of chiropractic and neuromuscular reeducation as complementary and alternative medicine treatment approaches for autism. Our investigation maintains the following three hypotheses: Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) will reduce the presentation of autistic symptoms in children. Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) in conjunction with neuromuscular reeducation will reduce the presentation of autistic symptoms in children. The presentation of autistic symptoms in children will significantly differ between the treatment groups of spinal manipulative therapy and spinal manipulative therapy in unification with neuromuscular reeducation.

Detailed Description
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We aim to describe and illustrate the roles of spinal manipulative therapy and neuromuscular reeducation in autistic children at a CAM university health center with regard to the following: To measure the safety and efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy for the autism spectrum disorders To measure the safety and efficacy of spinal manipulative therapy and neuromuscular reeducation for the treatment of the autism spectrum disorders To begin to establish or debunk debated SMT treatment for autism To evaluate, gauge, and improve current autism assessment tools by exploring face validity of the measures as indicated by ongoing data collection

Official Title
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The Effects of Spinal Manipulative Therapy and Neuromuscular Reeducation on the Presentation of Autistic Symptoms in Children

Conditions
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Autism

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT)
* Procedure: SMT and Neuromuscular Reeducation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Children diagnosed by a physician with an Autism Spectrum Disorder between the ages of 5 and 15 Children with parents able to bring their child to the university health center two times a week for 12 weeks Children assessed to have a level of functioning that is conducive to experiencing and undergoing chiropractic treatment at the university health center. Children without the presentation and diagnosis of comorbidity Exclusion Criteria: Children with comorbidity or multiple diagnoses (mental retardation, chromosomal disorders) Children undergoing another treatment for their disorder, other than a form of behavioral therapy (ABA or DTT) by a trained or licensed mental health professional. Children taking medication that is not deemed to be stabilized by a primary care physician, including medication dosages that is likely to be shifted and changed during the 12 weeks of treatment in this investigation. Children assessed to have severe behavioral impediments not conducive to chiropractic treatment at the university health center.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 5 Years
Maximum Age: 15 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Factorial Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT)<br>Patients will receive 12 weeks of chiropractic SMT | Procedure: Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT)<br>* Spinal manipulation is a therapeutic intervention performed on spinal articulations which are synovial joints. These articulations in the spine that are amenable to spinal manipulative therapy include the z-joints, the atlanto-occipital, atlanto-axial, lumbosacral, sacroiliac, costotransverse and costovertebral joints.<br>|
| Active Comparator: SMT and Neuromuscular Reeducation<br>Spinal manipulation is a therapeutic intervention performed on spinal articulations which are synovial joints. These articulations in the spine that are amenable to spinal manipulative therapy include the z-joints, the atlanto-occipital, atlanto-axial, lumbosacral, sacroiliac, costotransverse and costovertebral joints. A neuromuscular re-education program will consist of repetitive movements, posturing, and stimulation designed to reinforce nerve signals for functional movements. It is theorized that when the nerve signals are retrained and appropriate muscle movements are repeated, movement patterns become automatic again. Neuromuscular re-education is usually done along with other types of treatment to promote functional muscle movement. | Procedure: Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT)<br>* Spinal manipulation is a therapeutic intervention performed on spinal articulations which are synovial joints. These articulations in the spine that are amenable to spinal manipulative therapy include the z-joints, the atlanto-occipital, atlanto-axial, lumbosacral, sacroiliac, costotransverse and costovertebral joints.<br>Procedure: SMT and Neuromuscular Reeducation<br>* Neuromuscular reeducation is a general term that refers to techniques that attempt to retrain the neuromuscular system to function properly. The basis of this idea is that the formation of certain patterns of communication between muscles and nerves allow people to perform simple everyday acts such as climbing stairs.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Assessing change using the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist | Please see: Rimland, B., & Edelson, S. M. (2000). Autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC). Retrieved October, 23, 2006. Volkmar, F. R., Cicchetti, D. V., Dykens, E., Sparrow, S. S., Leckman, J. F., & Cohen, D. J. (1988). An evaluation of the autism behavior checklist. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 18(1), 81-97. | Weeks 1, 6, and 12 |