Where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries? A scoping review

Abstract Objective This scoping review maps chiropractic-specific clinical outcomes registries. Introduction Clinical outcomes registries track patient outcomes to improve evidence-based practice and quality of care; however, their role in chiropractic remains unclear. Methods This research adhered...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joel Carmichael, Kent Stuber, Katherine A. Pohlman, Amy Ferguson, Michele Maiers
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Chiropractic & Manual Therapies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-025-00583-2
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850269199691153408
author Joel Carmichael
Kent Stuber
Katherine A. Pohlman
Amy Ferguson
Michele Maiers
author_facet Joel Carmichael
Kent Stuber
Katherine A. Pohlman
Amy Ferguson
Michele Maiers
author_sort Joel Carmichael
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This scoping review maps chiropractic-specific clinical outcomes registries. Introduction Clinical outcomes registries track patient outcomes to improve evidence-based practice and quality of care; however, their role in chiropractic remains unclear. Methods This research adhered to Joanna Briggs Institute’s scoping review outline and methodology, as well as the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five databases were searched on January 9, 2025, with subsequent search of grey literature and citation tracking. Sources were included if they described chiropractic-specific registries that reported clinical outcomes data. Two reviewers independently screened 604 citations, extracting data into Excel. Variables included registry characteristics and clinical outcomes collected. Results Only one dedicated chiropractic clinical outcomes registry was identified: Spine IQ, launched in 2016 in the US with approximately 50 chiropractors submitting data on over 2000 low back pain patients. Spine IQ collected patient-reported outcome measures including the Oswestry Disability Index, Bournemouth Questionnaire, and the PROMIS physical function measure. By 2018, Spine IQ had completed its pilot phase and planned expansion to 100 clinics. Three sources were excluded: one spine registry not collecting chiropractic outcomes and two databases that included chiropractic data in publications but did not qualify as registries. Conclusions This review identified only Spine IQ as a dedicated chiropractic clinical outcomes registry, revealing a significant gap in registry infrastructure within the profession globally. The profession should explore the development of registries to enhance care quality, societal impact, and opportunities for collaborative research.
format Article
id doaj-art-4f4bde9ed25944b29decb300d6fa0782
institution OA Journals
issn 2045-709X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Chiropractic & Manual Therapies
spelling doaj-art-4f4bde9ed25944b29decb300d6fa07822025-08-20T01:53:14ZengBMCChiropractic & Manual Therapies2045-709X2025-05-0133111010.1186/s12998-025-00583-2Where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries? A scoping reviewJoel Carmichael0Kent Stuber1Katherine A. Pohlman2Amy Ferguson3Michele Maiers4Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusParker Research Center, Parker UniversityDepartment of Research and Innovation, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic CollegeEvidence Search LabCenter for Research and Innovation, Northwestern Health Sciences UniversityAbstract Objective This scoping review maps chiropractic-specific clinical outcomes registries. Introduction Clinical outcomes registries track patient outcomes to improve evidence-based practice and quality of care; however, their role in chiropractic remains unclear. Methods This research adhered to Joanna Briggs Institute’s scoping review outline and methodology, as well as the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Five databases were searched on January 9, 2025, with subsequent search of grey literature and citation tracking. Sources were included if they described chiropractic-specific registries that reported clinical outcomes data. Two reviewers independently screened 604 citations, extracting data into Excel. Variables included registry characteristics and clinical outcomes collected. Results Only one dedicated chiropractic clinical outcomes registry was identified: Spine IQ, launched in 2016 in the US with approximately 50 chiropractors submitting data on over 2000 low back pain patients. Spine IQ collected patient-reported outcome measures including the Oswestry Disability Index, Bournemouth Questionnaire, and the PROMIS physical function measure. By 2018, Spine IQ had completed its pilot phase and planned expansion to 100 clinics. Three sources were excluded: one spine registry not collecting chiropractic outcomes and two databases that included chiropractic data in publications but did not qualify as registries. Conclusions This review identified only Spine IQ as a dedicated chiropractic clinical outcomes registry, revealing a significant gap in registry infrastructure within the profession globally. The profession should explore the development of registries to enhance care quality, societal impact, and opportunities for collaborative research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-025-00583-2RegistryChiropractic clinical outcomesPatient-reported outcome measures
spellingShingle Joel Carmichael
Kent Stuber
Katherine A. Pohlman
Amy Ferguson
Michele Maiers
Where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries? A scoping review
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies
Registry
Chiropractic clinical outcomes
Patient-reported outcome measures
title Where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries? A scoping review
title_full Where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries? A scoping review
title_fullStr Where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries? A scoping review
title_full_unstemmed Where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries? A scoping review
title_short Where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries? A scoping review
title_sort where are the chiropractic clinical outcomes registries a scoping review
topic Registry
Chiropractic clinical outcomes
Patient-reported outcome measures
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-025-00583-2
work_keys_str_mv AT joelcarmichael wherearethechiropracticclinicaloutcomesregistriesascopingreview
AT kentstuber wherearethechiropracticclinicaloutcomesregistriesascopingreview
AT katherineapohlman wherearethechiropracticclinicaloutcomesregistriesascopingreview
AT amyferguson wherearethechiropracticclinicaloutcomesregistriesascopingreview
AT michelemaiers wherearethechiropracticclinicaloutcomesregistriesascopingreview