• Morter MT Jr
• Rupert RL
• Daniel DM
• McKinzie CL

• B.E.S.T. Technique
• Headache
• Neck Pain
• Pain Measurement

METHODS: Twenty-four adult patients with chronic pain-related conditions that failed to respond to previous chiropractic care were recruited. Subjects were given baseline assessments including pain Visual Analog Scale, Profile of Mood States, and the Global Well-being Scale. The 5-week treatment program consisted of an initial 3-day session with BEST therapy, followed by a single treatment session for the following 4 weeks. Patients were reevaluated at the end of the 3-day session and at weekly intervals throughout the course of care. At the end of week 5, patients were asked to assess their degree of satisfaction with the treatment.

RESULTS: Patients had 3 main categories of pain: headache (n = 8, mean duration 15 years), neck pain (n = 18, mean duration 11 years), and low back pain (n = 17, mean duration 10 years). Global Well-Being Scale scores significantly improved at the end of the 3-day session (P > .05) but not subsequently. The Profile of Mood States reflected favorable changes in all areas. Significant improvement in vigor (P > .003) and fatigue (P > .006) existed at the end of 5 weeks (P < .01). The reduction of pain was significant at both the end of the 3-day session and at follow-up (P = .0003). A statistically significant decrease in depression (P = .004) was noted after 3 days, and a substantial although not significant (P = .06) decrease in depression existed at the end of 1 month. Eighty-two percent reported satisfaction with BEST (47% reported being "extremely satisfied" and 35% "satisfied").

CONCLUSION: In this group of chronic pain patients, improvement in patient outcome measures was seen after 5 weeks of therapy. These patients also responded with a high degree of satisfaction with care.

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