Alterations in Bioelectric Activity at Acupuncture Points Following CV4 Cranial Manipulation

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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By measuring specific electrical parameters at acupuncture points that have been shown to correlate with ANS activity, the objectives of this study were to: 1) determine if CV4 has any influence on the bioelectric properties of the acupuncture meridian system, and 2) determine if CV4 affects the ANS.

Detailed Description
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This study is designed to measure bioelectrical activity at acupuncture Ting (Jing-Well) points immediately before and after employing a specific Osteopathic Cranial Manipulative Medicine (OCMM) technique called CV4 (Compression of the 4th Ventricle) vs. a Sham treatment. Ting (Jing-Well) points are acupuncture points located at the proximal edges of the finger- and toenails that represent the beginning and end of 14 acupuncture meridians as described in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese systems. Measurement of electrical activity at Ting points is performed by a physicist who has extensive experience using a device known as the Apparatus for Meridian Identification (AMI). Data collected and analyzed by the AMI for both CV4 and Sham groups is compared statistically for significant differences in before vs. after electrical activity and specific acupuncture meridians affected. One particular analysis of After Polarization (AP) potentials correlates with changes in autonomic nervous system activity.

Official Title
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Alterations in Bioelectric Activity at Acupuncture Jing-Well (Ting) Points Following CV4 Cranial Manipulation

Conditions
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Autonomic Imbalance

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine
* Other: Sham


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Males and females from the Erie, PA, area aged 18-78 years Recruited by local flyers and word of mouth marketing Able to lay supine for about 30 minutes Exclusion Criteria: Persons under the age of 18 years and persons unable to attend the in-person research sessions in Erie, PA. Identifiable acute illness of any kind Past medical history of stroke or transient ischemic attack within past 6 months Past medical history of intracranial hemorrhage, increased intracranial pressure, or seizure disorder Pregnant females

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 78 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: Other
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Participants randomized to sham group or osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine treatment group
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Sham Comparator: Contact touch at occipital region, but no actual cranial manipulation<br>Each subject was treated with Sham by CSPOMM and NMM board-certified osteopathic physicians. The physician's finger pads of both hands were placed underneath the supine subject's head in contact on the occipital squama medial to the lambdoidal and occipitomastoid sutures. The subject's head rested passively on the finger pads for 3 minutes. No cranial manipulative forces were applied. | Other: Sham<br>* Touch only, no osteopathic cranial manipulation<br>|
| Active Comparator: Osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine<br>Each subject was treated with CV4 technique by CSPOMM and NMM board-certified osteopathic physicians. All CV4 treatments were performed by one individual according to standardized protocol. The physician's hands were placed underneath the occiput with the thenar eminences in contact on the occipital squama medial to the lambdoidal and occipitomastoid sutures. Inherent cranial rhythmic motion was identified and thenar eminences followed occipital motion anteriorly during the extension phase until a still point was attained. This position was held until the still point released (usually about 3 minutes) and normal cranial motion ensued. | Other: Osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine<br>* Osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine technique using compression of 4th ventricle technique<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Autonomic Nervous System Activity at Acupuncture Ting Points | Bioelectric skin conductance at acupuncture points | Within 15 minutes of sham or intervention |