The Effect of Chiropractic Care on Opioid Use for Chronic Spinal Pain: A Feasibility Study

What this study is about

The investigators will conduct a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of chiropractic care added to usual medical care, versus usual medical care alone, for adult patients prescribed opioid therapy for chronic non-cancer spinal pain at four community health centers (CHCs) in Canada. These centers provide services to communities and vulnerable populations with high unemployment rates, multiple co-morbidities, and high rates of chronic musculoskeletal disorders that are commonly managed with prescription opioids. The investigators hypothesize that a full-scale (definitive) cluster RCT on the impact of chiropractic care on prescription opioid use for chronic non-cancer spinal pain will be feasible within the Canadian CHC context.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• CHC in Canada
• Roster of ≥ 3,500 patients
• One or more opioid-reducing strategies implemented as part of their standard medical services (e.g., chart audits, tracked performance metrics related to high dose prescribing) Participants
• Adult patients (aged ≥ 18 years)
• Diagnosis of chronic non-cancer spinal pain (i.e., back or neck pain of ≥ 12 weeks' duration, not associated with cancer)
• Actively receiving one or more opioid prescriptions (minimum dose of 50 mg MED, dispensed over a period of at least 3 consecutive months)
• Interested in reducing their opioid dose
• Cognitive ability and language skills required to complete the outcome measures
• Provision of informed consent

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• CHCs that employ chiropractors or have currently established chiropractic programs Participants
• Individuals already receiving chiropractic care
• Opioid-naive (or < 90 consecutive days of opioid prescription) at baseline
• Total active opioid dosage of < 50 mg MED at baseline
• Actively receiving treatment for opioid use disorder (e.g., methadone, naloxone)
• Spinal neoplasms or other 'red flag' diagnoses (e.g., fractures, infections, inflammatory arthritis, or cauda equina syndrome)
• Anticipated problems with the participant being available for follow-up (e.g., incarceration, or planned incarceration)
• The participant is or may be enrolled in a competing trial
• Prior enrolment in the ACCESS-DC trial
• Other reason to exclude the participant, as approved by the Methods Centre

Where this trial is running

• McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Who to contact

Peter C Emary, DC, PhD · 001-519-653-1470 · emaryp@mcmaster.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT06160947.