The authors of the study note that medical treatment for CFS
is only centered on the alleviation of symptoms while attempting to improve a
patient’s quality of life. They also note that since there are no clear
indicators or tests for CFS, the diagnosis of CFS is confirmed by ruling out
other conditions with the continued presence of the symptoms.
In this study 20 people with CFS were selected to
participate. Each was given an upper cervical chiropractic examination and x-rays. One subject
was disqualified due to having a metal plate in her head. Of the 19 remaining
subjects 15 were female and 5 were male, with their ages ranging from 18 to 65
years.
The measurement of quality of life for the subjects was
accomplished using the SF 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), a standard health
questionnaire form with 36 questions used to measure these types of issues and
the quality of a persons life related to their health issues. These forms were
filled out by participants before care was initiated and then again at the
conclusion of the study 6 months later.
Specific chiropractic care was rendered for subluxation of
the top vertebrae in the neck, the atlas. The subjects initial SF 36 scores
were then compared to the scores of the SF 36 after 6 months and the chiropractic
care.
The results showed that the SF 36 scores increased
significantly for the test subjects. The General Health component increased
from a score of 30.3 prior to upper cervical chiropractic care to 55.6 after the care.
Additionally, the Mental Health scores of the SF 36, rose from 46.4 before
care to 68.6 after care. The results of these measurements showed that
there was a dramatic quality of life improvement as measured by the SF 36 test.
The authors noted that the improvement noticed with the
subjects continued to show improvement. They commented, "Unlike treatment
approaches for some chronic illnesses, where measurable changes recorded
immediately after an intervention dwindle or vanish over time, our subjects’
SF-36 scores continued to improve compared to baseline; appreciably at three
months, and substantially at six months."
(Editor's note: Remember the
objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment
that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is
corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other
problems more efficiently on its own. Please do
not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition,
disease or symptom.)
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