The Research Department at Cleveland University-Kansas City (CUKC) was recently the recipient of a generous donation that will allow it to broaden the scope of its work. The department was gifted two pieces of MedX equipment by Dr. James A. Wyllie, a 1983 Cleveland graduate. Wyllie was revamping his practice, and no longer needed the two machines, so he contacted CUKC. After learning the testing equipment could be used in the University’s research efforts, the two machines were soon on their way to the CUKC campus.
According to Dr. Mark Pfefer, director of research at CUKC, the equipment was valued at more than $100,000 when new, so it was a tremendous gift for the department. The lumbar and cervical strength testing machines are used to accurately evaluate the neck and low back, to identify current or potential problems. Precise measurement of range of motion, strength and endurance can be compared to establish norms. This allows a progressive strengthening program to be developed to isolate and bolster the weakened area.
Pfefer said the scope of chiropractic research regarding strength and performance changes is limited, so these new additions will help researchers at CUKC to fill that void.
“Our plan is to use the equipment to study changes in neck and low back strength before and after chiropractic care,” Pfefer said. “We also plan to use it for selected patients with identified spine weakness, and evaluate different rehabilitation approaches to optimize recommendations for future patients.”
Pfefer said some CUKC students, working in concert with the research department, will also be trained to use the new equipment. This collaboration will help move the profession forward in a variety of ways, and in this case, it is alumni support that will make those advancements possible.
“Dr. Wyllie’s donation is greatly appreciated,” Pfefer said. “This gift will support and enhance future research, student learning and will also positively impact the care of patients within the Cleveland University-Kansas City Chiropractic Health Center.”
MedX equipment is well known throughout the athletic training community. It is used by many NFL teams and numerous other professional athletes to evaluate strength and performance. The products were developed by Arthur Jones, an engineer and staunch supporter of strength training. He is perhaps best known as the founder of strength and training company, Nautilus, Inc.
