Table 2
Features of included studies
| Study authors; Quality score | Study design | Sample | Interventions | Outcome measure | Main results/conclusions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mckelvey et al;16 7/27 | 6-week single blind cross pilot, abstract only | 32 patients | Chiropractic care, 18 manipulations | Spirometry reading, peak flow and vital capacity, and number of asthma attacks | No statistical difference in-group spirometry reading before and after treatment. Peak flow and vital capacity were reduced (p<.05) |
| Balon et al;5 22/27 | Randomized controlled trial | 91 children aged 7–16 | Chiropractic manipulation | Peak expiratory flow, asthma symptoms, quality of life, and satisfaction with treatment | No statistical difference between groups, symptoms decreased in both groups with no statistically significant differences between groups |
| Graham and Pistolese;10 7/27 | Self-reported impairment questionnaire | 81 children aged 1–17 | Chiropractic care-detection and elimination of subluxation | Modified Oswestry Impairment Rating Scale (MOIRS) | Significantly lower impairment rating for 90.1% of subjects. Greater clinical effect for boys |
| Bronfort et al;8 20/27 | Prospective clinical case series and observer blinded pilot RCT | 36 patients aged 6–17 | Chiropractic spinal manipulation | Pulmonary function tests, rated quality of life, peak expiratory flow rates | Children rate quality of life higher, effect maintained at one year. No important changes in lung function |
| Nielson et al;17 20/27 | Randomized patient and observer blinded cross-over trial | 31 patients aged 18–44 | Chiropractic spinal manipulation | Forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, use of brochodilators, patient rated severity | No clinically important or statistically significant differences found between active and sham interventions |
| Leboeuf-Yde et al;14 15/27 | Survey | 385 chiropractors on 5607 patients | Spinal manipulation with or without additional therapy | Self-reported impairment on questionnaire | Most common was improved breathing, minority of patients reported improvement of non-musculoskeletal symptoms |
| Gibbs;9 9/27 | Case series | 3 patients | Chiropractic spinal manipulation | Peak flow and asthma questionnaire | Increased subjective and objective parameters, need for larger studies |
| Green;11 5/27 | Case study | 1 patient, 43y | Chiropractic spinal manipulation | Peak flow, use of medications | Positive objectives changes in peak flow and decrease in medication use |