Upper Cervical and Thoracic Chiropractic Adjustment

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The proposed study examines the differences in how the ANS responds to cervical adjustments in comparison to thoracic adjustments. This study is the continuation of a previous study titled Perceived stress and patterns of autonomic function: a protocol development study. Autonomic tests such as HRV, GSR, and the stress surveys will be the primary method of measurement. CareTaker and Biopac devices will provide continual data collection of ECG (for HRV analysis) and GSR throughout the exam and adjustment. Participant's subjective stress levels will be measured through the use of stress questionnaires including the National Stressful Events Survey Acute Stress Disorder Short Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. The objective of the study is to determine if the location of a chiropractic adjustment will affect the autonomic nervous system in such a way that PNS or SNS activation increases or decreases after the adjustment. Further, the study will continue to examine how the chiropractic adjustment affects the subjective stress response.

Official Title
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Effects of Upper Cervical and Thoracic Chiropractic Adjustments on the Autonomic Nervous System and Perceived Stress Response

Conditions
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Stress

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Upper Cervical Adjustemnt
* Procedure: Thoracic Adjustemnt


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Over the age of 19 In good health Willing to have blood pressure taken Willinig to shave a small area of chest hair for placement of a ECG patch Consent to a physical exam Consent ot chiropractic evaluationa nd 2 adjustments

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Upper Cervical Adjustment<br>Upper cervical adjustemnt | Procedure: Upper Cervical Adjustemnt<br>* Upper cervical adjustement<br>Procedure: Thoracic Adjustemnt<br>* Thoracic adjustment<br>|
| Active Comparator: Thoracic Adjustment<br>Thoracic adjustment | Procedure: Upper Cervical Adjustemnt<br>* Upper cervical adjustement<br>Procedure: Thoracic Adjustemnt<br>* Thoracic adjustment<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Caretaker Heart Rate Variability | HRV allows for an understanding of Autonomic (parasympathetic) function, via measuring the interval of R peaks in QRS complexes. | Through study completion, an average of 1 week | 
| Galvanic Skin Response | Galvanic Skin response gives a strong measure of Sympathetic response via electrical conductivity of perspiration. | Through study completion, an average of 1 week | 
| Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale | Measures the severity of anxiety symptoms | Through study completion, an average of 1 week | 
| NSESSS | Measures PTSD symptoms in people 18 and up. | Through study completion, an average of 1 week | 
| CD-RISC-25 | Measure of adaptability | Through study completion, an average of 1 week | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Heart Rate Varability, Autonomic Nervious System, Chiropractic Adjustment