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Study Shows Chiropractic Care Benefits Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (07/22/10 - Oakdale, MN). A small study group of children suffering from Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, was put into chiropractic care for up to five months in a controlled research project, as reported in a recent issue of Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing. Following the study, all of the participating children showed marked improvement in their condition. “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD as it is commonly known, is characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness,” said Oakdale-based Dr. Ben Smetana, D.C. “This problem must be diagnosed medically and is usually treated with a combination of psycho-therapy and prescription medication. This study gives hope for an alternative course of care.” The subjects of this particular study—four male youths, ranging in age from 9- to 13-years old—began chiropractic care on a 3-times per week basis for eight weeks, then decreased frequency of visits to twice a week for eight weeks and, thereafter, once per week. The care consisted of spinal manipulation, with the addition of nutritional supplements. During the course of the chiropractic care, results were checked using a 15-item, "ADHD Monitoring System Questionnaire," which has been developed and approved by experts in the field to determine the efficacy of various methods of care. Parents and teachers complete the questionnaire periodically, and their responses are tabulated to show progress, or lack thereof.
According to the published case study, Our retrospective case series observed continued improvement in only five months of [chiropractic] care. Regardless, this study provides supporting evidence that chiropractic may abate the symptoms of ADHD and may provide a complementary or alternative care approach to allopathic care approaches (i.e., stimulant medication). The chiropractic perspective in the care of patients with ADHD is not one of 'all or none' (i.e., care results in no effect or complete remission of ADHD), but rather the symptoms of ADHD are abated (i.e., 'like a dimmer for the lights') concomitant with improvement in spinal function. “This study represents a very preliminary level of findings, and much more research is needed,” Dr. Smetana added. “But the results should offer some encouragement for parents of children with this problem.” Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Smetana, whose office is located at 1015 Helmo Ave N. Oakdale, MN (telephone 651.739.2500). Reference: “The chiropractic care of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A retrospective cases series,” Explore (May/June 2010) Vol. 6, No. 3, 173-182. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study has promising results Taking Probiotics Eases Cold and Flu-like Symptoms in Children (4/20/10, Oakdale, MN). A recent article in the Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics reported on a study involving 326 children, ages 3 to 5, who participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled test of the effects of probiotics on cold and flu-like symptoms. Oakdale-based Dr. Ben Smetana, D.C., follows health and wellness issues closely in professional journals and other publications. “People often think of chiropractors in terms of treating neck and back pain,” said Dr. Smetana, “but many of my colleagues and I, myself, are involved in all aspects of our patients’ health and well-being, including proper nutrition and illness-preventative measures.” In this particular study, children in the study group were assigned at random to get one of three planned dosages. One group received just a placebo, or common sugar pill with no therapeutic value. A second group got a single probiotic dosage, and the third group got a combination probiotic dosage. “The study participants received their allocated dosage twice a day for six months,” Dr. Smetana related. “They were then analyzed to determine both the incidence of cold and flu-like symptoms during the test period, as well as the duration of such symptoms.” In comparison to the placebo group, those children who had taken the single-strain probiotic had a 53% reduction in fevers, a 41.4% reduction in coughing, and a 28.2% reduction in rhinorrhea, or runny nose. “The combination-strain probiotic group fared even better,” said Dr. Smetana. “The incidence of fevers was reduced by 72.7%, coughing by 62.1%, and rhinorrhea by 58.8%.”
The study also measured the duration of cold and flu-like symptoms in the study group, and, once again, there was a marked improvement for those children using some form of probiotics over the placebo group. The single-strain probiotics usage resulted in a lesser duration of symptoms by 32%; the combination-strain usage caused a 48% reduction in the duration of the symptoms. The study also concluded that children getting some form of probiotics had less need to take antibiotics during the test period and also were absent much less from nursery school or other group child care facilities. “This is just one study,” explained Dr. Smetana, and more studies are needed before any absolute conclusions can be drawn.” Anyone wishing more information may contact Dr. Smetana, whose office is located at 1015 Helmo Ave N. Oakdale, MN (telephone 651-739-2500). welcome  |
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