Get Daily Dallas News HeadlinesSign Up An Irving clinic wasted over $2 million in taxpayer dollars and risked the health of dozens of veterans in a medical study that included spinning them upside down in a chair, according to a scathing state audit released Friday.The state’s top health agency said in 2013 that it hoped the clinic’s yearlong study would result in a new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. But the study was so poorly designed it was impossible to tell whether the treatment worked, according to investigators.The state is demanding the clinic repay $278,000 it charged for veterans who were not Texas residents or were treated more than once.The audit culminates a probe triggered by reports by The Dallas Morning News and KXAS-TV (NBC5).The news organizations found that former Gov. Rick Perry championed the clinic, now known as Cerebrum Health Centers, and his calendars show he visited it three times. The auditors said they found no evidence of Perry’s personal involvement but they did not review his calendars.
Perry could not be reached for comment.The study was funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission in late 2013.A spokeswoman for the agency said it accepted the findings of the audit, which was performed by its inspector general’s office. The agency has revised policies “to prevent this from happening again,” she said, noting that the audit found no evidence of fraud and the staff members responsible no longer worked there.The clinic plans to challenge parts of the report as inaccurate, Jimmy Mathews, president and chief operating officer of Cerebrum, said in a statement. “Our success and reputation with veterans speaks for itself and we remain committed to care for those who have served our nation.” Cerebrum was previously known as Carrick Brain Centers. According to its website, its treatments are based on a chiropractic discipline — known as “functional neurology” — that aims to treat brain disorders.Medical experts told The News and NBC5 there is no medical reason to think the brain’s balance system is connected to PTSD.
The clinic also gave some of the veterans hormone treatments that weren’t specifically part of the original study design.Shortly after it opened, the clinic caught the attention of Dallas Cowboys football players, Navy SEALS, and eventually, Perry.Perry’s calendars and other records, obtained by The News and NBC5, showed he visited the clinic at least three times, and that his office was closely involved with arranging for funding.The state’s auditors did not mention Perry by name, but found close contact between the clinic’s parent company, Brain Synergy Institute, and the governor’s office. Investigators found that normal checks and balances were missing.'A rip-off'State Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington, requested the audit after The News and NBC5 published their findings. Turner sits on a state House committee that has recently scrutinized state contracts.“It’s shameful that veterans were put at risk and Texas taxpayers paid for it,” he said.The audit also noted that 40 veterans didn’t get spun in the chair because of pre-existing conditions.
Nevertheless, the clinic received more than $650,000 for treating them. The inspector general’s office said it asked to get back only money spent “clearly in violation of the contract.”If the clinic operators “had any decency, they’d refund the entire $2.3 million” they received, Turner said. “This was a rip-off, pure and simple.”As recently as September, Perry voiced his support for the clinic’s efforts to help veterans, according to its website.“Cerebrum Health Centers has been doing some incredible things with our vets for some years now,” Perry said in a video played at a Westlake fundraiser for Cerebrum. “I know there are a lot of folks that say well, you need studies that take 10 years, and our kids don’t have 10 years.”Perry is a longtime advocate for veterans, and featured many vets treated at Cerebrum when he announced his bid for the presidency in 2015. Late last month, he visited Trump Tower, triggering speculation he is under consideration for a Cabinet spot in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
The Web address you entered is not a functioning page on our site. Go to Amazon.in's Home Page You can pay anywhere from $200 to $2,000 for a new exercise bike. Pricier machines generally have sturdier designs and more features, but some bargain-priced machines can offer a good workout. Running is the gold standard for cardiorespiratory fitness, but exercise bikes might help strengthen your legs, hips, and glutes more than running because you can ramp up the resistance to work your muscles harder. There are two kinds of exercise bikes. The traditional upright type resembles a regular bicycle; a recumbent bike has back support. They provide similar workouts; an upright might work your glutes better because you can fully extend your hips. Because body weight is supported, both types are options for people who have difficulty with balance or have lower-limb injuries. A recumbent might be more comfortable for those with back problems. To find the right machine for you, be sure to try before you buy.
Exercise bikes vary in size and shape, so when you're shopping for one, adjust it for your size in the store. Look for a comfortable seat and pedals that fit your feet. We found a few ergonomic and comfort quibbles with some bikes. On one bike we tested, the seat can adjust for users up to 6 feet 2 inches, but we found that anyone over about 5 feet 8 inches hit their knees on the handlebars. On another bike the handlebars were a long reach for some, and on a third bike, the seat was uncomfortable. Look for a warranty that provides at least two to three years of coverage on major moving parts and a year for labor. Survey data on the probability of failure and repair costs showed that extended warranties are probably not a good deal. Decide which extra features are important to you: simple ones like a water bottle holder or book rest, or more interactive ones like video games. Look for a clear display with easy-to-use controls. A good one will show some combination of your heart rate, calories burned, speed, revolutions per minute (RPM), and resistance levels, and details such as time and distance.