Approaches to Chiropractic Care in Aging Patients (NCT07023809) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Approaches to Chiropractic Care in Aging Patients
Canada12 participantsStarted 2025-08-01
Plain-language summary
The goal of this observational study is to understand how chiropractors adjust their therapeutic approaches based on their beliefs, the patient's age, and patient-specific characteristics, with a particular focus on aging patients. The study population includes licensed chiropractors in Quebec treating adult and aging patients in real clinical settings. Patients involved are receiving their usual care and are not the primary focus of the study.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* How do chiropractors modify their treatment strategies for aging patients?
* What contextual and clinical factors influence these therapeutic decisions?
Researchers will observe chiropractors during routine care to assess treatment characteristics. To do this, participants will:
* Use a sensor to measure the force applied during specific manual treatments.
* Complete brief questionnaires after each treatment to report contextual details.
* Allow for the presence of a researcher during treatment delivery for observational purposes.
Patients will:
* Fill out a short pre-treatment questionnaire.
* Receive their usual care with no interference in the treatment process.
* Be informed in advance and free to decline participation at any point.
This study aims to provide a detailed picture of current chiropractic practices in Quebec related to the care of aging patients, while minimizing disruption to clinical routines.
Who can participate
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria for chiropractors:
* Be a practicing chiropractor working in a private clinic in Quebec located within approximately 150 km of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.
* Have a patient base mainly composed of younger adults (ages 18 to 49) and aging adults (50 years and older).
* Use diversified manual therapy techniques on the spine and pelvis. This terminology is commonly used in chiropractic and refers to a range of techniques including spinal manipulation, spinal mobilization, instrument-assisted manipulation, and the use of pelvic blocks.
Exclusion criteria for chiropractors:
* Not having a treatment room large enough to accommodate the researcher and her equipment, in addition to the patient.
* Having a schedule that does not allow extending the duration of multiple treatments within a single day.
Inclusion criteria for patients:
* Be an adult aged between 18 and 49 years or 50 years and older.
* Be a regular patient of the chiropractor.
Exclusion criteria for patients:
\- New patients, defined as those attending their first or second appointment at the clinic. These visits are typically longer, and it is reasonable to expect that the patient may have more questions during these initial sessions. The presence of a third party could be uncomfortable for a patient who is still adapting to a new type of care or a new chiropractor. We do not wish to interfere with a patient-chiropractor relationship that is still being established.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Care approaches
Timeframe: From the start of the clinician work day to the end of the clinician work day (1 day)