Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe any potential changes that chiropractic
manipulation of the thoracic spine may have on brain qEEG readings.
Method: A descriptive design following a case series approach was used to record changes in qEEG
readings before and after a chiropractic manipulation. The study took place at the University of
Johannesburg’s Doornfontein campus, in the Chiropractic clinic. The study comprised of 10 participants
with thoracic motion restrictions. The brainwave activity of each participant was measured and recorded
using the qEEG. A pre- manipulation reading was taken, which comprised of the measurement of the
participants’ brain wave activity with their eyes open and then with their eyes closed. A postmanipulation
reading was taken immediately after, also measured with eyes open and then eyes
closed. Thirty minutes later a second post manipulation reading was taken, measured with eyes open
and then eyes closed. The data was converted into mean values of the brain waves, delta, theta, alpha
and beta. The results were analysed and described to find the relationship between the manipulation
and the different areas of the brain with its associated brain wave activity.
Results Changes of particular interest were found across all three lobes. Alpha and delta wave
changes in the parietal lobe were indicative of a relaxed and reflective state in participants. Changes in
the delta and beta waves in the temporal and frontal lobe also showed the manipulations potential to
increase the relaxed state in participants. Although, it should be noted that throughout the trial
participants were in lying down in a quiet and un-stimulatory environment, which may also have
contributed to the changes demonstrated.
Conclusion: This study fully describes 10 participants and the manipulation effect on qEEG.Based on
the results, chiropractic manipulation of the thoracic spine does have an effect on qEEG readings.
However the motivation behind the results remain inconclusive. A larger group of participants are
needed and the variables need to be more controlled to make a definite conclusion and allow for
statistical analysis.