Adverse Events Associated With Manual Therapies in Children

The aim of this study is to investigate (1) the feasibility to conduct a prospective cohort study evaluating the adverse events associated with manual therapies in children of 5 years and younger and (2) to report preliminary data on the frequency and nature of the adverse events. Participating chiropractors will advertise the study in their private clinic through flyers and posters. Legal tutors interested to participate will access an information sheet and consent form using a link available on the flyers/posters. Legal tutors of participants will complete three questionnaires, one before the intervention to describe the child (e.g. age, sex, reason(s) to seek care), one immediately following the intervention to report immediate adverse events and one 48h following the intervention to report delayed adverse events. Clinicians will complete one questionnaire immediately following the intervention to describe the manual therapies delivered to the children. All questionnaires will be available online on a secured platform. The intervention will be determined by the clinician according the their evaluation of the child and could include spinal mobilization as well as soft tissue therapies.

Inclusion criteria

• Children of 5 years or younger
• First or second treatment at one of the chiropractic clinic
• Spinal mobilization has to be clinically indicated

Exclusion criteria

• Children of 6 years or older
• Spinal mobilization not indicated