Chiropractic Force Versus Touch

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Official Title
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Comparison of EEG Changes Over Time Following Application of Chiropractic Adjustive Force vs Non-force Simulation

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Chiropractic spinal adjustment
* Other: Non-force simulation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 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: Non-Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Force<br>Chiropractic spinal adjustment with force | Other: Chiropractic spinal adjustment<br>* Chiropractic spinal adjustment<br>|
| Active Comparator: Touch<br>non-force stimulation | Other: Non-force simulation<br>* Non-force simulation<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Electroencephalography (EEG) Power spectrum | 64 channels of EEG will be recorded. A fast Fourier transform will be computed to provide a power spectrum of frequencies 1-50. | Baseline, beginning of the study | 
| Electroencephalography (EEG) Power spectrum | 64 channels of EEG will be recorded. A fast Fourier transform will be computed to provide a power spectrum of frequencies 1-50. | through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Electroencephalography (EEG) Power spectrum | 64 channels of EEG will be recorded. A fast Fourier transform will be computed to provide a power spectrum of frequencies 1-50. | One week follow up | 
| Electrocardiogram (ECG) R-R intervals | Three leads will be placed on the torso to capture a Lead II ECG. R-R intervals will be calculated. | Baseline, beginning of the study | 
| Electrocardiogram (ECG) R-R intervals | Three leads will be placed on the torso to capture a Lead II ECG. R-R intervals will be calculated. | through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Electrocardiogram (ECG) R-R intervals | Three leads will be placed on the torso to capture a Lead II ECG. R-R intervals will be calculated. | one-week follow up | 
| Blood pressure | Blood pressure will be captured using an automatic blood pressure cuff | Baseline, beginning of the study | 
| Blood pressure | Blood pressure will be captured using an automatic blood pressure cuff | through study completion, an average of 1 year | 
| Blood pressure | Blood pressure will be captured using an automatic blood pressure cuff | one-week follow up |