PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT International chiropractic conference planned for 2017 in Washington, D.C. An agreement has been reached for a joint 2017 conference in Washington, D.C., for the World Federation of Chiropractic’s (WFC) 14th Biennial Congress, the Association of Chiropractic Colleges’ (ACC) Research Agenda Conference (RAC), and the National Chiropractic Leadership Conference (NCLC) hosted by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). “This premier event will showcase the many clinical, research and other professional advances made by the chiropractic profession in the United States and around the world,” said ACA president Dr. Anthony Hamm. “Additionally, it will highlight the profession’s unity and strength by bringing together Dcs from across the profession and the world.” The core of the clinical education, research and professional development sessions will be held March 15- 18, 2017. Many specialty seminars and associated governance and related organization meetings are also anticipated to occur in conjunction with the joint conference throughout the week. “ACC and WFC host the largest annual meetings dedicated to research for educators and practicing Dcs,” noted ACC president Dr. Brian McAulay. “By bringing these meetings together for the first time with the ACA, we can provide a truly exceptional program – both for the chiropractic community and for those in Washington watching the progress of our profession.” The agreement follows the selection of Washington, D. C., in 2017 through a formal bid process culminated at a recent WFC Council meeting in Puerto Rico. WFC last held a Congress in the U.S. in Orlando in 2003, and will hold its next Congress in Athens, Greece, from May 13 to 16, 2015. The 2017 Congress will offer outstanding continuing education and networking opportunities, in addition to being a celebration of WFC’s return to Washington, D.C., for the first time since the profession’s centennial celebrations in 1995,” said WFC president Dr. Greg Stewart, who is from Winnipeg. The ACA, based in Arlington, Va., is the largest professional association in the United States and advocates for more than 130,000 doctors of chiropractic, chiropractic assistants and chiropractic doctoral students. ACA promotes the highest standards of ethics and patient care, contributing to the health and well-being of millions of chiropractic patients. The ACC is comprised of 22 accredited chiropractic graduate educational programs in North America and affiliate member institutions worldwide. ACC seeks to advance chiropractic education, research and service to enhance the health of the public. For more news on the international conference visit canadianchiropractor.ca GERIATRIC Lifestyle intervention benefits adults prone to dementia: study Positive results presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2014 (AAIC 2014) in Copenhagen include data from a two-year clinical trial in Finland of a multi-component lifestyle intervention, known as the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER Study). The study, with 1,260 older adults at risk for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s, showed that physical activity, nutritional guidance, cognitive training, social activities and management of heart health risk factors improved cognitive performance, both overall and in separate measures of executive function, such as planning abilities, and the relationship between cognitive functions and physical movement. “AAIC is the premiere Alzheimer’s and dementia research conference, and this year’s topics are exciting both in their scope and findings,” said Keith Fargo, Alzheimer’s Association director of scientific programs and outreach. “Regarding the FINGER Study, researchers have previously observed a number of modifiable factors associated with increased risk of late-life cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s, but short-term studies focusing on single, isolated risk factors have had modest results, at best. Longer, larger, better-controlled trials looking at modifying multiple risk factors – like the FINGER Study – have been needed. This new data is very encouraging, and we look forward to further studies to confirm and extend these findings.” At AAIC 2014, Dr. Miia Kivipelto, professor at the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, and the National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland, and her colleagues reported on the results of the FINGER Study, a two-year randomized controlled trial of 1,260 participants age 60 to 77 with modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s. Randomized controlled clinical trials are considered the “gold standard” for demonstrating treatment efficacy and safety. Participants were divided into two groups; one received an intervention that included nutritional guidance, physical exercise, cognitive training, social activities, and management of heart health risk factors, while the control group received regular health advice. After two years, the intervention group performed significantly better on a comprehensive cognitive examination. In addition to performing better overall, the intervention group did significantly better on specific tests of memory, executive function (complex aspects of thought such as planning, judgment and problem-solving) and speed of cognitive processing. “This is the first randomized control trial showing that it is possible to prevent cognitive decline using a multi-domain intervention among older at-risk individuals. These results highlight the value of addressing multiple risk factors in improving performance in several cognitive domains,” said Kivipelto. “Participants told us their experience was very positive, and dropout rate only 11 per cent after two years.” The researchers say an extended, seven-year follow-up study is planned, and will include measures of dementia/ Alzheimer’s incidence and biomarkers including brain imaging with MRI and PET. The Alzheimer’s Association International Conference is the world’s largest gathering of leading researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The association seeks to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through research, provide and enhance care and support for all affected and reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. HEALTH CARE Price tag on public health care A typical Canadian family with two parents and two children will pay up to $11,786 for public health care in 2014, finds a new study titled, The Price of Public Health Care Insurance, released by the Fraser Institute. “Health care in Canada is not free – while Canadians may not pay directly for medical services, they pay a substantial amount of money for health care through taxes,” said Bacchus Barua, study co-author and senior economist at Fraser’s Centre for Health Policy Studies. In fact, most Canadians are unaware of the true cost of health care because they are not billed for any portion of physician and hospital services covered by tax-funded health-care insurance. Using data from Statistics Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the study estimates the amount of taxes Canadian families will pay for public health insurance in 2014, and by how much it has increased over the last decade. For example, in 2014, the average single individual earning roughly $42,000 will pay $4,381 for public health-care insurance. The 10 per cent of Canadian families with the lowest income will pay an average of $523 for public health-care insurance in 2014. In 2014, the 10 per cent of Canadian families with an average income of $57,818 will pay an average of $5,522. Between 2004 and 2014, the cost of health care insurance for the average Canadian family (all family types) increased by 53.3 per cent, dwarfing increases in income (34.7 per cent), shelter (40. 7 per cent), clothing (33.4 per cent) and food (15.6 per cent). PEOPLE Chiropractic community mourns loss of “chiropractic warrior” Renowned chiropractor Dr. James M. Sigafoose passed away on July 3, 2014, after a short illness. Recognized worldwide for his inspirational chiropractic philosophy and motivational teaching, Sigafoose has been a powerful leader and teacher to generations of chiropractors. He also authored many books and a variety of multimedia educational products utilized by chiropractors all over the world. A memorial celebration of the life of Dr. Jim Sigafoose was held Saturday, Aug. 2, in Abingdon, Maryland. “He was a mentor and inspiration to countless thousands of chiropractors around the world, myself included,” said ICA president Dr. Michael S. McLean. “I was proud to be his friend and colleague. We were deeply honored to have Jim contribute so generously of his wisdom and experience as the keynote speaker at ICA’s June 2014 Annual Meeting in Kansas City.” Sigafoose was also selected by the ICA board of directors to be the 2014 recipient of the Dr. Herbert Ross Reaver Award in celebration of his lifetime of dedicated and courageous service on behalf the chiropractic profession. Upon graduating from high school, Sigafoose served in the U.S. Army for two years and received his chiropractic education at National College. His pathway to his unique and powerful understanding of chiropractic science and philosophy led him through a great variety of learning experiences, all of which enabled him to articulate and explain what is important in a successful chiropractic practice like no other speaker, the ICA said. Sigafoose married his beloved wife Patsy in 1954 with six of their children following in his footsteps and becoming chiropractors. In addition, a son-in-law, a nephew and a daughter-inlaw are also chiropractors. Sigafoose’s overarching goal is to instill the timeless philosophy that was his mantra: “To serve for the sake of serving, to give for the sake of giving, and to love for the sake of loving.” PEOPLE Winnipeg chiropractor is new president of World Federation of Chiropractic The World Federation of Chiropractic (WFC) has elected Winnipeg-based chiropractor Dr. Gregory Stewart as its new president serving a two-year term. The announcement was made at the WFC Executive Council Meeting held in May in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He succeeds Dr. Dennis Richards of Australia, now past president. Stewart, who received a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Manitoba in 1982, graduated as a Doctor of Chiropractic (cum laude) from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto in 1986. He has been in full-time private practice in Winnipeg since, and has served on many provincial and national chiropractic committees since 1990. These include committees on the identity of the profession, government relations, ethics, communications, interprofessional collaboration, chiropractic legislation, third-party and government service negotiations, clinical practice guidelines and research. Stewart is also a member of Canadian Chiropractor Magazine’s editorial advisory board, advising on current trends and issues that matter to the profession. From 1994 to 1997, he was president of the Manitoba Chiropractors’ Association. Stewart also served as president of the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA) from 2002 to 2003. He has represented Canada and the North American Region on the Council of the World Federation of Chiropractic since 2006, most recently as the first vice-president. In 2012, he received the CCA’s highest honour, the Medal of Merit, for outstanding services to the profession. “I am excited by the advances and new opportunities for the chiropractic profession in many countries at present, and the vision and quality of the leaders beside me on the WFC Council,” said Stewart. “For these and other reasons, the work of the WFC is more important than ever, and I see significant new progress in research, education and practice over the next two years if we continue to maintain high standards and work together.” Other officers elected in Puerto Rico were Dr. Espen Johannessen, Norway, first vice-president, Dr. Carlos Ayres, Peru, second vice-president, and Dr. Rick McMichael, U.S.A., secretary- treasurer. RESEARCH Government funds B.C. researchers’ business and science skills The provincial government of British Columbia is providing $3 million to support cutting-edge research through Mitacs, a not-for-profit research and training organization, Health Minister Terry Lake has announced. “The funding we are announcing today will help Mitacs support its trainees to further cultivate their business and scientific skills,” Lake said during the funding announcement last June. “This will help them in developing innovative discoveries to assist us in delivering even higher quality care.” With offices across Canada, including at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria, Mitacs offers a suite of unique training and research programs to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Students gain valuable experience in applying their advanced training in the private sector, while local businesses gain a competitive advantage by tapping into this level of expertise. “This funding will help cultivate innovation in the life sciences sector,” said Andrew Wilkinson, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services. “By developing young minds and assisting businesses in identifying ways to support innovation, it is a benefit for all British Columbians.” An example of the work Mitacs researchers have participated in is with Secheltbased SideStix Ventures. The company has developed the first and only shock-absorbent forearm crutches with attachable tips for a variety of terrain. Their benefits over traditional forearm crutches include a built-in shock absorber, better-angled handles, and cork handgrips for comfort. SideStix crutches are mainly used by people with amputations or those with chronic disabilities. “Investment in the next generation of innovators – those who will play an important role in the innovation and advancement of British Columbia’s health-care system – are essential to the province’s long-term goal of delivering a high standard of care,” said Dr. Arvind Gupta, CEO and scientific director of Mitacs. A Mitacs intern’s research showed that the crutch effectively changed body movement while reducing impact, allowing users to walk further with less pain. “The research our Mitacs intern completed was instrumental in helping us validate and refine our products and take them to the next level, making a difference in the comfort and ease of SideStix users. Without this collaboration, our products would not be what they are today, or insured by extended benefits,” said Sarah Doherty, cofounder of SideStix. Government has provided Mitacs with $20 million since 2006/2007. HEALTH SERVICES Stroke patients in Alberta community benefit from home-based therapy pilot A new stroke rehabilitation pilot project in Alberta is helping to reduce the number of days patients spend in hospital. The pilot, being delivered in rural and small urban areas, began last March in Grande Prairie and delivers one-on-one stroke rehabilitation programs into the homes of patients. The Stroke Action Plan improves the quality of inpatient and community care for stroke patients outside Alberta’s major cities. The plan uses provincial standards to ensure inpatient care in rural settings is the same quality as the care delivered in larger urban areas – and ensures patients have early and timely access to rehabilitation. “We know that stroke patients want to return to their homes as soon as possible after hospitalization, and by providing home-based therapy options, we are improving outcomes for patients while they remain in the comfort of their homes. This is part of the government’s ongoing effort to provide health care services to Albertans closer to home,” said Fred Horne, Minister of Health. Grande Prairie’s ten-member team includes recreational and occupational therapists, a speech language pathologist, a social worker, a nurse, and therapy assistants. “The pilot project aims to provide a more supervised re-entry into the home environment after a stroke,” said Vickie Kaminski, president and CEO of Alberta Health Services. HEALTH Health fund focuses on Aboriginal Peoples Health Minister Rona Ambrose announced funding for three recipients of the Partners for Engagement and Knowledge Exchange (PEKEs) grants through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) Pathways to Health Equity for Aboriginal Peoples signature initiative. Pathways promotes health equity among First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples in four key areas: suicide prevention, obesity and diabetes, tuberculosis and oral health. “Pathways to Health Equity for Aboriginal Peoples ensures the research is connected to the community to find meaningful solutions. By funding these three recipients and their collaborators, we will help translate health information that considers traditional practices and culture,” said Ambrose. Through $25 million in funding, Pathways research will create an evidence base that supports the design and implementation of health interventions in the four areas listed above. The research will also identify how these interventions can be adopted by First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Canada by respecting their cultures and traditional knowledge. Grant recipients will play an important role in facilitating the knowledge exchange between researchers and Aboriginal peoples’ communities and organizations through ongoing communication and cultural integration activities. APPOINTMENT Parker University announces new VP of College of Chiropractic Parker University has appointed Dr. Ashley Cleveland as the next vice-president of the College of Chiropractic, following a nationwide search to fill the post. Formerly, Cleveland was provost and associate dean of Cleveland Chiropractic College in Overland Park, Kansas. She will begin her tenure as vice-president of Parker University’s College of Chiropractic on November 1, 2014. “Ashley Cleveland has been a highly successful provost and dean, respected not only at her former institution but also by her peers throughout the chiropractic education community,” said Parker University president Brian McAulay. “Her proven skill in managing multiple aspects of a chiropractic institution make her a tremendous asset to our students in the College of Chiropractic.” At Cleveland Chiropractic College, Cleveland oversaw leadership and management of all academic and program information, resulting in improved educational outcomes and student performance throughout her 19- year tenure. Under her leadership, the college developed and subsequently expanded the ‘Teach Out’ program in partnership with various health-care organizations. “I look forward, with great enthusiasm, to serving as vice-president of Parker University’s College of Chiropractic. Working with the students and faculty to build on a strong foundation and continue to enhance the quality of chiropractic education at this pivotal time in health care is a privilege. I’m thrilled to join the Parker community,” said Cleveland. Cleveland has also been deeply involved in the Council on Chiropractic Education, where she was elected to serve as a member of the programmatic accrediting agency for two consecutive years. Previously, Cleveland served as teaching fellow for undergraduate programs at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. She earned a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Doctor of Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College after obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in English from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she was valedictorian of her graduating class. CLINICAL Acetaminophen may have no effect on back pain relief: study Acetaminophen isn’t any better at relieving back pain than a fake pill, despite almost universal recommendations to take the drug, according to results from the first big trial to test it. Acetaminophen, sold as Tylenol and Paracetamol, among other names, is recommended in numerous guidelines for back pain, mainly because it has few side effects; past studies have shown it works for other types of pain. But there is no proof it is effective for lower back pain in particular. In a new study, Australian researchers assigned more than 1,600 people with acute lower back pain to either acetaminophen – to a maximum dose of 4,000 mg per day – or a placebo. Scientists found no major difference in the time it took people to recover: Those on acetaminophen got better after 17 days while those who took dummy pills recovered after 16 days. The study focused on the kind of back pain most people experience, resulting from lack of exercise, bad posture or a strain. The research was paid for by the Australian government and GlaxoSmithKline Australia. It was published online in the journal, The Lancet. “Most people would have thought (acetaminophen) would have some effect, so this was a surprise,” said Bart Koes of Erasmus MC University Center in the Netherlands, who co-authored an accompanying commentary. He said doctors should monitor people taking acetaminophen to see if the drug actually works. Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and doctors usually recommend treatments including painkillers, exercise, stretching, physical therapy and old-fashioned remedies like hot and cold packs. “The mechanisms of back pain are likely to be different from other pain conditions and this is an area that we need to study more,” said Chris Williams of the University of Sydney in Australia, the study’s lead author, in an email. “We know exercise helps so people should stay as active as possible,” said Chris Mercer, a physical therapist specializing in back pain and spokesman for Britain’s Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. “Don’t just take to your bed.” Some doctors said it was too early to give up on acetaminophen and said most people would get better within a week or two whatever treatment they tried. “Different strategies will work for different patients,” said Dr. Nigel Mathers, honorary secretary of Britain’s Royal College of General Practitioners. “If (acetaminophen) works for you, then continue to take it.”