| Rationale: Increased spinal morbidity among drivers is well-documented and its pathomechanism has been objectively verified elsewhere by the authors. This study aims to explore the effects of chiropractic intervention in symptomatic drivers, assess the benefits to the driver and the transport company.
Study design: A group of 22 symptomatic bus drivers were treated for various spinal complaints, following which their improvement, recovery and satisfaction were measured through a telephone survey. Analysis of the changes in the number of spine-related sick days, together with its financial benefits to their employer, was performed.
Statistical design: The design was a retrospective two-tailed hypothesis testing of variances, using a single cohort of 22 symptomatic bus drivers. The independent variable was the driver’s spinal complaint and the dependent variables an independent questionnaire and company’s sick days record.
Results: Twenty-two symptomatic drivers approached the clinic, most of them with multiple spinal complaints of insidious onset and well-established chronicity. At the end of the treatment programme, drivers reported 84.3% improvement and 91.6% overall satisfaction. Average spinal absenteeism within the same group compared to previous year had dropped from 1.55 sick days per employee for 6 months down to 0.16. This trend achieved 95% significance in a paired t-test of variances.
Conclusion: Chiropractic intervention within the work place for this population shows positive effects in terms of employee satisfaction, resolution of symptoms and cost effectiveness for the company involved. This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; full text by subscription. Click on the above link for the journal record. |
