Exploring strategies to improve clinical decision making in a chiropractic office: a case series.

Background: Clinicians make clinical decisions using the dual process theory. The dual process theory comprises two approaches, System 1, based on heuristics, and System 2, involving an analytical and effortful thought process. However, there are inherent limitations to the dual process theory, such as relying on inaccurate memory or misinterpreting cues leading to inappropriate clinical management. As a result, clinicians may utilize mental shortcuts, termed heuristics, and be susceptible to clinical errors and biases that may lead to flawed decision making and diagnosis. Methods: This case series describes four clinical cases whereby the clinicians use distinct strategies to assess and manage complex clinical presentations. Discussion: Through the use of self-reflection and acknowledging diagnostic uncertainty, the clinicians were able to reduce common cognitive biases and provide effective and timely patient care. We discuss strategies that clinicians can implement in their daily practice to improve clinical decision-making processes and deliver quality care.

Explorer des stratégies pour améliorer la prise de décision clinique dans un bureau chiropratique: une série de cas. Contexte: Les cliniciens prennent des décisions cliniques en utilisant la théorie du double processus. La théorie du double processus comprend deux approches, le premier système qui est basé sur l'heuristique, et le deuxième système qui implique un processus de réflexion analytique et exigeant. Cependant, il existe des limites inhérentes à la théorie du double processus, telles que le fait de s'appuyer sur une mémoire inexacte ou une mauvaise interprétation des indices conduisant à une gestion clinique inappropriée. Par conséquent, les médecins peuvent utiliser des raccourcis mentaux, appelés heuristiques, et être susceptibles de tenir compte d'erreurs et de biais cliniques qui peuvent conduire à une mauvaise décision et à un mauvais diagnostic. Méthodes: Cette série de cas décrit quatre cas cliniques où les cliniciens utilisent des stratégies distinctes pour évaluer et gérer des présentations cliniques complexes. Discussion: Grâce à l'autoréflexion et à la reconnaissance de l'incertitude diagnostique, les cliniciens ont pu réduire les biais cognitifs courants et fournir des soins efficaces et opportuns aux patients. Nous discutons des stratégies que les cliniciens peuvent mettre en oeuvre dans leur pratique quotidienne pour améliorer les processus de prise de décision clinique et fournir des soins de qualité.

A randomized controlled (intervention) trial of ischemic compression therapy for chronic carpal tunnel syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ischemic compression therapy in the treatment of chronic carpal tunnel syndrome. METHOD: Fifty-five patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome were randomized to two groups. Thirty-seven patients received 15 experimental treatments which consisted of ischemic compressions at trigger points located in the axilla of the shoulder, the length of the biceps muscle, at the bicipital aponeurosis and at the pronator teres muscle in the hollow of the elbow. Eighteen patients received the control treatment involving ischemic compression on trigger points located in the deltoid muscle, supraspinatus muscle and infraspinatus muscle. Of the 18 patients forming the control group, 13 agreed to receive the experimental treatments after the 15 control treatments. Outcome measures included a validated 18-question questionnaire to assess the severity of symptoms and functional status in carpal tunnel syndrome, and a quantification of the patients' perceived improvement, using a scale from 0% to 100%. Outcome measures evaluations were completed at baseline, after 15 treatments, 30 days following the last treatment, and 6 months later. RESULTS: For the disability questionnaire, a significant reduction of symptoms was noted only in the experimental group. In the experimental group the outcome at baseline was 33.5 (SD, 10.3); after 15 treatments it was 18.6 (SD, 7.0). The control group outcome at baseline was 36.3 (SD, 15.2); after 15 treatments it was 26.4 (SD, 9.9) and after the crossover (15 control treatments plus 15 experimental treatments) 20.2 (SD, 12.2). A significant between group difference (P < 0.021) was noted in the patients' perceived improvement after 15 treatments: 67 (SD, 26) percent and 50 (SD, 25) percent respectively for the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: This practice-based clinical trial suggests that myofascial therapy using ischemic compression the length of the biceps, at the bicipital aponeurosis, at the pronator teres and at the subscapularis muscles could be a useful approach to reduce symptoms associated with the carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients' perceived improvement in functional capacities persisted over a 6-month period.

Chronic shoulder pain of myofascial origin: a randomized clinical trial using ischemic compression therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of 15 myofascial therapy treatments using ischemic compression on shoulder trigger points in patients with chronic shoulder pain. METHODS: Forty-one patients received 15 experimental treatments, which consisted of ischemic compressions on trigger points located in the supraspinatus muscle, the infraspinatus muscle, the deltoid muscle, and the biceps tendon. Eighteen patients received the control treatment involving 15 ischemic compression treatments of trigger points located in cervical and upper thoracic areas. Of the 18 patients forming the control group, 16 went on to receive 15 experimental treatments after having received their initial control treatments. Outcome measures included a validated 13-question questionnaire measuring shoulder pain and functional impairment. A second questionnaire was used to assess patients' perceived amelioration, using a scale from 0% to 100%. Outcome measure evaluation was completed for both groups at baseline after 15 treatments, 30 days after the last treatment, and finally for the experimental group only, 6 months later. RESULTS: A significant group x time interval interaction was observed after the first 15 treatments, indicating that the experimental group had a significant reduction in their Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) score compared with the control group (62% vs 18% amelioration). Moreover, the patients perceived percentages of amelioration were higher in the experimental group after 15 treatments (75% vs 29%). Finally, the control group subjects significantly reduced their SPADI scores after crossover (55%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that myofascial therapy using ischemic compression on shoulder trigger points may reduce the symptoms of patients experiencing chronic shoulder pain.

Urinary incontinence in women treated by ischemic compression over the bladder area: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine if ischemic compression therapy over the bladder area results in clinically important changes among female patients with stress and mixed (stress and urge) incontinence. METHODS: One group of patients (n = 24) received ischemic compression therapy directed over the bladder area (experimental group). The control group (n = 9) received ischemic compression therapy directed toward structures of the hip joint. Changes in urinary incontinence symptoms were monitored using a 2-part questionnaire: the urogenital distress inventory and the incontinence impact questionnaire. Patients' perceived amelioration (improvement) was quantified using a scale divided from 0% to 100%. RESULTS: Mean scores for the first questionnaire (urogenital distress inventory + incontinence impact questionnaire, 19 questions) were 23.3 vs 25.3 at baseline and 10.2 vs 22.2 after 15 treatments for the experimental and control group, respectively. The experimental group scores were 6.9 at 30 days after the last treatment and 11.3 at the 6-month follow-up. The perceived percentages of amelioration after 15 treatments were 69% vs 32% for the experimental and control group, respectively. The experimental group scores were 73% at 30 days after the last treatment and 60% at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, ischemic compression directed toward elicited trigger points over bladder area was found to be an effective treatment of patients presenting symptoms of urinary incontinence. Improvement in symptoms was still present in follow-up at 6 months.