Call for participants: Understanding maintenance care and myofascial pain in chiropractic practice
Category: Non-practice Opportunities
Description:
Dr. John Srbely, Dr. Patricia Tavares and Martha Funabashi, PhD are investigating chiropractors’ understandings and applications of maintenance care protocols within clinical practice. Additionally, some members of our team are conducting a separate study exploring chiropractors’ views on the diagnostic criteria for myofascial pain syndrome.
You’re invited to participate in one, or both of these studies, as a practicing chiropractor in Ontario.
BACKGROUND
Many chiropractors employ a ‘maintenance care’ protocol for treating specific patients. However, there is a lack of research exploring chiropractors’ use and understanding of maintenance care in the Canadian and Ontario contexts. Moreover, discrepancies remain within the profession regarding the definition, perception, and application of chiropractic maintenance care.
In a related area of chiropractic, myofascial pain is a common condition routinely managed by chiropractors. Despite its clinical prevalence, there is currently no consensus on the diagnostic criteria and management approaches of myofascial pain within the chiropractic profession.
STUDY OBJECTIVES
These studies aim to better understand how Ontario chiropractors define and apply maintenance care protocols, and how they approach the diagnosis and management of myofascial pain syndrome. The first survey-based study will compare local perspectives on maintenance care with existing literature to identify gaps and develop a shared understanding of maintenance care in clinical application.
The second study uses a modified Delphi method to build consensus on the diagnostic criteria and physical findings associated with myofascial pain, ultimately supporting greater consistency in patient care.
YOUR PARTICIPATION
The maintenance care survey is an anonymous online questionnaire that will take approximately 20–30 minutes to complete. While responses are anonymous and not linked to your email, some demographic questions may provide indirectly identifying information. If necessary, such information will be excluded from analysis to maintain privacy.
If you choose to participate in the modified Delphi study as well, you will complete an initial questionnaire followed by two follow-up questionnaires, each taking about 15–20 minutes. Your email will be collected in the initial questionnaire solely for the purpose of sending subsequent invitations. However, your email will not be linked to your responses, ensuring your answers remain confidential.
Participation in both the survey and Delphi questionnaire is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time. This research is supported in part by funding from the Ontario Chiropractic Association (OCA) and the University of Guelph.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To participate in the maintenance care survey, please complete the online survey by Friday, May 16.
To also participate in the myofascial pain modified Delphi questionnaires, please complete the initial online questionnaire by Friday, May 16.
Your participation in these studies will contribute valuable insights to enhance the understanding and application of chiropractic care to benefit both practitioners and patients.
Please find the consent forms for both studies linked below.
These forms are for your reference only, as consent will be obtained through the first question of each survey:
Consent form: Maintenance care study
Consent form: Myofascial pain study
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
One member of the research team is funded by the OCA. Data analysis will be conducted primarily by team members not funded by the OCA. These measures apply to both studies, ensuring that the OCA has no influence over the research process or access to individual data.
ETHICS STATEMENT
This project has been reviewed by the University of Guelph Research Ethics Board for compliance with federal guidelines for research involving human participants (REB #24-10-001).
Contact Email: jmurray@chiropractic.on.ca