Basic science research in chiropractic: the state of the art and recommendations for a research agenda

A position paper was prepared as background information for participants in the National Workshop to Develop the Chiropractic Workshop Agenda conducted by the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research, Davenport, Iowa. The paper was revised in light of comments and suggestions at the workshop by participants and by a workgroup composed of basic scientists from within and outside of chiropractic. This final article documents the history of basic science research in chiropractic, and the current state of the art of basic science research conducted since 1975 by chiropractors or investigators at chiropractic institutions in North America. Seed recommendations contained in the working paper for the development of an adequate infrastructure needed to conduct future research and seed recommendations for a future basic science research agenda were also modified and revised by the workgroup participants through a modified nominal group process. The final recommendations contained in this article represent a synthesis of these recommendations and those of the authors.