Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the effect that an extremity manipulation particulary a talocrural joint (TCJM) manipulation had on qEEG.
Method: A descriptive case series was chosen for this study. 10 participants that met the relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. The study looked to observe changes in the qEEG readings before and immediately following the extremity manipulation, as well as 30 minutes after the manipulation was delivered. The study took place in the Chiropractic Clinic at the University of Johannesburg’s Doornfontein campus. The 10 participants were screened for long axis extension talocrural joint restrictions. The qEEG was used to record the participants’ brain wave activity with their eyes open and then closed before any manipulation was given. Immediately following the manipulation, another recording was taken, again with the eyes open and then closed. Finally, the values 30 minutes post-manipulation were captured. Once again with the eyes open and then closed. The qEEG data was converted into mean values of the brain waves, delta, theta, alpha and beta. These values were used to find any statistical significance in the results. An analysis of the results was performed to identify relationships between the manipulation and brain wave activity within each of the lobes (frontal, temporal and parietal).
Results: Findings of particular interest in this study were evident in all of the lobes. Beta and delta wave changes immediately following the manipulation, in the frontal lobe and temporal lobe were indicative of the participants’ increased relaxed/ resting states.. Alpha and delta wave changes in the parietal lobe following the manipulation and 30 minutes later were also suggestive of the participants’ increased relaxed and reflective state. Also important to consider was the patients immobile and quiet state throughout the trial.
Conclusion: In this study, the findings are limited and inconclusive as there is no sure way to quantify how much of the increase in relaxation of the participant was a result of the extremity manipulation or the participants’ motionless and silent state. Research is severely limited on the relationship between peripheral joint manipulation and its effect on the brain. The only studies that exist are concerned with spinal manipulation. It is interesting to see that the degree of changes following the TCJM showed a similar extent of change as seen by the spinal studies. This could suggest that there are alternative factors responsible for the changes directly following the manipulation. The study has still made an encouraging contribution to the claim that chiropractic manipulation has an effect on qEEG readings, based on the...