Review: Spinal manipulation to treat asthma

Prof. Ernst reviewed the evidence.

First, the details.

• 3 studies of spinal manipulation as a treatment of asthma were included in the review.
• All of the studies were considered excellent in design (Jadad score 5).
• All used sham-manipulation as the control.

And, the results.

• No study showed that real manipulation was more effective than sham-manipulation for improving lung function or subjective symptoms.

The bottom line?

Prof Ernst concluded, “The best studies available indicate that spinal manipulation is not an effective treatment for asthma.”

2/3/10 22:01 JR