CCR Brain-Body Neuroplasticity Projects

Blinding Integrity Following a Single Session of Simulated or Genuine High Velocity, Low Amplitude (HVLA) Manual Chiropractic Adjustments: A Randomized Controlled Proof-of-Concept Trial
The primary aim of this trial is to assess blinding following simulated/sham or genuine/real high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) manual chiropractic adjustments.
Briefly, eligible participants will be randomized to receive a single session of either simulated/sham or genuine/real chiropractic spinal adjustments and be given a brief survey immediately following their session and 48 hours later that captures their perceptions and experiences regarding the intervention they received.
This study is intended to inform a future multi-session, randomized, sham-controlled trial.
Psychoneuroimmunology as a framework for studying the effects of chiropractic care in a population with high central adiposity: a feasibility trial
Since 1980, the global prevalence of obesity, commonly defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, has doubled. Importantly, obesity is associated with numerous PNI-related sequelae, including increased levels of psychological distress, cognitive deficits, ANS dysfunction, and immune marker abnormalities. To our knowledge, rigorous investigation of chiropractic’s impact on PNI-related outcomes in people with obesity is lacking. Based on evidence to date, it is plausible that clinically important PNI-related dysfunctions (e.g., heightened stress levels, executive function impairments, dysautonomia, immune dysregulation) common in this population could be ameliorated via chiropractic care.
Learn More: https://form.jotform.com/232546128942156
The effects of chiropractic care on the brain, autonomic nervous system, gait, and patient reported outcomes in adults with diagnosed or suspected metabolic syndrome: a proof-of-concept trial
To add to this body of research and to additionally investigate the relationship between chiropractic and central nervous system functioning, the Center for Chiropractic Research is proposing a feasibility study that would employ the use of a recently developed comprehensive battery assessing central nervous system and autonomic nervous system functioning during resting, reactive, and recovery states in a population with metabolic syndrome.
Assessing the effects of chiropractic care in children with parent-reported sensory processing disorder (SPD): a feasibility study
This trial’s main aims are to investigate the feasibility of implementing our novel assessment battery in tandem with normal and customary chiropractic care in a practice-based setting using a pediatric population with parent-reported SPD. More specifically, our primary endpoints are
- recruitment rate,
- tolerability,
- adherence,
- retention,
- efficiency, and
- data quality.
As a secondary aim, we wish to investigate potential effects of chiropractic on parent-reported sensory dysfunction and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity.
Assessing biopsychosocial functioning of school-age children receiving school-based chiropractic care: a feasibility trial
This trial’s main aims are to investigate the feasibility of implementing our novel assessment battery with a pediatric population. More specifically, we want to assess our processes and procedures with respect to
- recruitment rate (i.e., number of subjects recruited within the ~1 month recruitment window),
- tolerability (i.e., proportion of participants able to wear the equipment without difficulty),
- compliance (i.e., proportion of participants able to perform each task as instructed),
- efficiency (i.e., average time to completion of each session), and
- data fidelity (i.e., proportion of test acquisitions with data suitable for subsequent analyses).
This feasibility trial is intended to inform a future cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) assessing the effects of chiropractic care on a pediatric population.
The effects of chiropractic manual adjustments on nervous system function in individuals with post-concussion syndrome: A proof-of-concept trial
Given that PCS is a common consequence of TBI1 and considering it is still surrounded by a misunderstanding about the etiology, causation, diagnostic formulations, symptom presentation, prolonging factors and treatment10, more research into quantitatively assessing these symptoms is needed. This research project will investigate the relationship between chiropractic care and the PCS population. This will be a feasibility study investigating the success of recruitment within the PCS population and a new comprehensive assessment procedure, which includes testing brain dynamics, ANS functioning, gait, and movement.
Learn More: https://form.jotform.com/232195630936056
Assessing reliability of a psychoneurological test battery
This study’s primary aims are to assess the test-retest reliability of a novel series of tests that track ANS activity during a postural challenge and cognitive functioning during treadmill walking. The auditory switch task is an executive function assessment that explores task set switching (the ability to concurrently switch between performing two different mental tasks) capacity of participants.
The effects of upper cervical chiropractic care in adult cancer survivors with chronic cancer-related fatigue: a feasibility trial
Irrespective of the cause(s), there is a widespread lack of identification of and treatment for chronic cancer related fatigue (CCRF) and other chronic cancer-related sequelae. Further, empirical data supporting the efficacy of interventions to remediate these issues are relatively sparse and urgently needed as the global population of cancer survivors continues to increase. To our knowledge, the impact of chiropractic care on CCRF and other health-related challenges that burden cancer survivors has yet to be investigated. In design.
The impact of chiropractic on fatigue & the autonomic nervous system in adults with long-COVID: a randomized, wait-list controlled pilot trial
While the results from our previous two feasibility studies were favorable, the sample sizes were small, and no control groups were used. The aim of the present study is to incorporate a wait-list control group & a larger sample size. Additionally, the previous studies only assessed resting-state HRV which does not permit an evaluation of the ANS’s reactivity to and recovery from a stressor, nor can it evaluate the function of the other branch of the ANS known as the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). To assess reactivity and recovery, our new ANS testing protocol incorporates a physical stressor (i.e., exercise). In addition, impedance cardiography (ICG) will be added to assess the SNS. In fundraising.
The Impacts of Chiropractic Care on the Biopsychosocial Functioning of School-Age Children: A Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial
This trial’s main aims are to investigate the potential effects of chiropractic in school-aged children. More specifically, we intend to run a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) whereby 4 elementary schools will be randomized to either normal and customary chiropractic care or wait-list for 8 weeks to compare the differences in brain, autonomic, cognitive, and self-reported outcomes between the groups. Upon completion of the 8-week trial, the students in the schools randomized to waitlist will be offered normal and customary chiropractic care. This pilot cRCT is intended to inform a future, fully powered cRCT assessing the effects of chiropractic care in school-aged children. In fundraising.
Autonomic dysfunction: a feasibility study of methodologies
This feasibility study uses a series of tests and data analysis methods on a generally healthy population to determine which measures to standardize for the projected series of autonomic studies. This study takes patient comfort into account along with the quality and quantity of data able to be elicited in order to determine which methods are best suited for our projected line of study in populations with autonomic dysfunction.