Improvement in physical and mental quality of life following reduction of lumbar spondylolisthesis using chiropractic BioPhysics® corrective spinal rehabilitation: a case series of 117 patients with lumbar anterolisthesis(es)

This study reports on patients with lumbar anterolisthesis(es) (LA) to assess the impact of CBP ® corrective spinal rehabilitation on anterior translation displacement (+ Tz) of LA and physical and mental quality of life (QOL) measures. A records review of a private practice isolated patients with LAs greater than 4 mm who were compliant with CBP ® treatment recommendations and had pre- and post-treatment health measures documented. Primary outcomes included + Tz measurements at T12-S1 intervertebral levels and overall means as well as SF-36 questionnaire QOL measures (physical and mental component summaries, physical functioning, and bodily pain). LAs were classified using the Meyerding classification system. 117 individuals (54 males [46.2%], mean age 55.77 ± 15.19 years) underwent 42.89 ± 20.12 treatment visits over 22.05 ± 12.90 weeks at a rate of 2.14 ± 0.56 treatment visits per week. Results showed significant reductions in Grade I-III LA Tz measurements. Grade I ( N = 85) improved from 6.10 ± 1.30 mm to 2.50 ± 1.36 mm (58.2%), Grade II ( N = 38) improved from 11.62 ± 1.95 mm to 5.89 ± 2.09 mm (49.9%), and Grade III ( N = 4) improved from 19.18 ± 0.81 mm to 14.30 ± 1.88 mm (25.4%). Pre- and post-treatment SF-36 scores showed clinically significant improvement in QOL measures. Results indicate significant improvements in Tz measurements in patients with Grade I-III LAs with statistical significance across multiple comparisons. Limitations to this case series are identified. Larger clinical trials with control groups and long-term follow-ups are needed. This documents the first robust series documenting improvements in physical and mental QOL following reduction of Grade I-III LA using CBP ® corrective spinal rehabilitation.