Over the past decade there has been growing evidence to suggest that chiropractic care influences brain function. The researchers that have done this work have used sophisticated brain research methods such as measuring brain waves using electroencephalography (EEG). These studies have shown that adjusting subluxations in the spine alters function in various brain structures. However, the evidence for the involvement of these brain structures is indirect. Although EEG measures brain activity very accurately time-wise, it has poor spatial resolution, which means it’s hard to tell exactly where in the brain the activity occurs.

Recently efforts have been made to improve the spatial resolution of EEG using a new EEG technique, known as multichannel matching pursuit technique. With this technique it is possible to determine with greater clarity where in the brain activity occurs. A group of chiropractic researchers in New Zealand and Canada are pairing up with a group from Denmark and intend to use this new technique to explore which structures in the brain are talking to each other prior to, and after, chiropractic adjustments.

The researchers believe that they will be able to identify differences in the way the brains of a group of 15 subluxated individuals, who are developing spinal symptoms, function compared with a group of 15 healthy people with no history of symptoms. They also believe that a single session of chiropractic care in the subluxated group will change the way parts of the brain are talking to each other. The researchers aim to reveal the brain areas involved in subclinical pain processing, then study the communication between these brain areas and how the communication changes following a single session of spinal adjustments.

By completing this study the researchers hope to gain a much better understanding about how vertebral subluxations and adjustments affect nervous system function.

Grant Value:$73,841
Chief Investigator: Imran Khan Niazi – New Zealand College of Chiropractic
Status: Complete

Publications:

Presentations:

  • ACCRAC March 2016, Orlando, Florida, USA
    Lelic D, Niazi IK, Holt K, Jochumsen M, Dremstrup, Yielder P, Murphy B, Drewes AM, Haavik H. Chiropractic adjustments alter sensorimotor integration in the pre-frontal cortex – A brain source localisation study.
  • The Parker Experience January 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
    Lelic D, Niazi IK, Holt K, Jochumsen M, Dremstrup, Yielder P, Murphy B, Drewes AM, Haavik H. Chiropractic adjustments alter sensorimotor integration in the pre-frontal cortex – A brain source localisation study. 
  • CAA Scientific Symposium, October 2015, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    Lelic D, Niazi IK, Holt K, Jochumsen M, Dremstrup, Yielder P, Murphy B, Drewes AM, Haavik H. (2015) Manipulation of dysfunctional spinal joints affects sensorimotor integration in the pre-fontal cortex: A brain source localization study.

Awards: