This pilot study will develop and validate a paediatric outcome measure specifically designed for chiropractic care, focusing on nervous system coherence, resilience, and adaptability in children aged 3-8 years. Current health assessment tools are symptom and diagnosis-focused and inadequate for evaluating wellness-based outcomes central to chiropractic care. Drawing from salutogenic theory and integrating chiropractic principles, this research will create a developmentally appropriate instrument through systematic psychometric validation involving expert consultation, cognitive interviews, and pilot testing with 50-100 families across a 6-week monitoring period. This tool will enable evidence-based documentation of functional improvements following vertebral subluxation correction, advancing research capabilities and clinical practice standards.
Grant Value: $10,000
Chief Investigator: Dr Sarah Hock & Dr Alan Brewster – Sherman College of Chiropractic
Status: In progress
Researcher Updates:
August 2026
The project is progressing as expected and is on track for completion in mid‑2027. The expert panel is reviewing draft questions and response options to ensure the instrument captures meaningful measures for children aged 3–8. In parallel, the team is exploring app‑development platforms and visual response formats. Once the panel’s review is complete, the instrument and visuals will be refined before moving into app development, cognitive testing, and pilot implementation. Â