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Entrainment Between Clinician and Patient During Palpation

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Doctor Patient Relation
Registration Number
NCT03579238
Lead Sponsor
Western University of Health Sciences
Brief Summary

This study will assess the physiological interaction between the palpating clinician and a research participant using a laser Doppler flow meter to detect changes in blood flow parameters.

Detailed Description

Research participants will lie on their backs on a soft table while a licensed physician, with special training in osteopathic palpation and manipulation approaches, touches, and administers a slight inhibition of occipital bone motion for five minutes per stage. Both will have a non invasive skin sensor (probe), called a laser Doppler flow meter, attached to their forehead to detect changes in subcutaneous blood flow velocity. The signal from the device will be augmented and transmitted for display onto a digital polygraph recorder. Then, using Fourier transformation software, the signal will be displayed as a graph for spectral analysis to determine the effect on specific wave forms related to autonomic activity. The interaction between the two individuals will be assessed for evidence of entrainment phenomenon, i.e., the influence of one biorhythm upon another.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • healthy adult that can lie on his or her back on a padded table without moving for 35 minutes.
Exclusion Criteria
  • head trauma within the last six months, seizure disorder, pregnant, brain disease or injury, using beta or alpha blocker medication, unable to lie still for 35 minutes, allergy to the hypoallergenic sticky tape used to attach sensor to forehead

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Entrainment of still points between clinician and research participantwithin 1 minute of each other (arbitrary designation)

When one person has a still point it may or may not affect the other person. If it does, then entrainment will have occurred. The clinician's intent is to create a still point in the participant by inhibiting occipital motion. This is measurable using the laser Doppler flow meter. The induction of the still point, which is manifest on the polygraph and in spectroscopy as a distinct diminished amplitude at the .08-1.5 Hz frequency, may entrain the clinician to have a still point as well.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Western University of Health Sciences

🇺🇸

Pomona, California, United States

Western University of Health Sciences
🇺🇸Pomona, California, United States

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