Chiropractic Force Versus Touch

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Healthy
• Interventions: Other: Non-force simulation; Other: Chiropractic spinal adjustment

• Registration Number: NCT05249530
• Lead Sponsor: Life University

Brief Summary

The Life University Center for Chiropractic Research is conducting a research study to better understand the physiologic and brain-based differences between the touch and force components of the chiropractic adjustment. Eligible individuals will either receive a chiropractic adjustment with force or a non-force stimulation. Individuals in the force stimulation group will receive an active spinal adjustment with a handheld instrument called an Activator. Individuals in the non-force stimulation group will have one Activator placed on the spine and another Activator clicked away from the spine. This study is not randomized. The first participant will receive an active spinal adjustment, and the second participant will receive a non-force stimulation at the same locations as the first participant. This pattern repeats until all individuals have been recruited (n=30). Outcome assessments include resting state electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and blood pressure. Outcome assessments will be captured prior to the adjustment or non-force stimulation, after the adjustment or non-force stimulation, and one week later. Individuals will also undergo a standard health history and chiropractic physical exam at the start of participation.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2021-09-28
• Study First Submitted: 2022-01-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2022-02-18
• Study First Posted: 2022-02-21
• Primary Completion: 2023-08-01
• Study Completion: 2023-08-01
• Status Verified: 2024-02
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-02-01
• Last Update Posted: 2024-02-02

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• You are between the age of 18 and 50.
• You have not had a chiropractic adjustment in the past 2 weeks.
• You are not currently receiving care such as acupuncture or physical therapy.
• You are currently not taking any medication that may change your brain patterns.

Exclusion Criteria

• You do not have a history of recent spinal surgery or trauma.
• You do not have any other health conditions that may prevent you from receive chiropractic care. This could include diagnosed osteoporosis.
• You are not pregnant.
• You do not have a severe mental health condition.
• You do not have a known heart condition.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Touch	Non-force simulation	non-force stimulation
Force	Chiropractic spinal adjustment	Chiropractic spinal adjustment with force

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Blood pressure	one-week follow up	Blood pressure will be captured using an automatic blood pressure cuff
Electroencephalography (EEG) Power spectrum	One week follow up	64 channels of EEG will be recorded. A fast Fourier transform will be computed to provide a power spectrum of frequencies 1-50.
Electrocardiogram (ECG) R-R intervals	one-week follow up	Three leads will be placed on the torso to capture a Lead II ECG. R-R intervals will be calculated.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Life University Center for Chiropractic Research; 🇺🇸 Atlanta, Georgia, United States