Technique Lab of the Future
Creation of a technique lab of the future has helped to provide an entirely new and state-of-the-art methodology for the technique faculty to utilize as a part of student learning. Students can assess the force profile of the adjustment and understand the ergonomics of the adjustment. Research projects can be built around the system to help modernize technique instruction at LIFE University and demonstrate the effectiveness of electronic feedback for enhancing the motor skills required for safe, effective adjustments.
A randomized wait-list control trial evaluating the effect of team-based applied clinical neuroscience care on self-reported symptoms of depression and cerebellar function in adults with medication-resistant depression
A pilot study design that operationalizes the multimodal manner of care while evaluating changes in depression symptoms, dysmetria, and balance for medication non-responders.
Effectiveness of chiropractic care on a healthy population as assessed by balance and dual task performance analysis
A study utilizing the NeuroCom Balance System to evaluate a participant’s balance following a Chiropractic adjustment. Pre-testing, Post-testing, and 1-week post testing assessments are done.
The influence of rhetorical sensitivity on the chiropractors’ cultural authority
When communicating chiropractic to the community, it behooves the speaker to remain consciously sensitive to how each message is received by others. Unfortunately, this communication skill called ‘rhetorical sensitivity’ is not instinctual; it must be taught, trained, and developed over time. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate chiropractors’ attitudes towards communication and relate how these preferences influence the messages chiropractors currently create. This investigation will provide insights for improving chiropractors’ communication success in future engagements.
Axial Stability Method (ASM) chiropractic care: an exploration of response to care within patient subtypes.
The purpose of this study is to determine if there are differences between patients who present with a left or right compensation of the pelvis. Assessments include surveys, balance testing, EEG, physiology recording using wrist band technology, and sensory-cognitive tasks.
Feasibility of synchronized EMG and movement analysis in the evaluation of the Global Assessment chiropractic protocol.
The focus of the study is to test the integration of movement and muscle activation pattern analysis equipment with force applied through use of the manual muscle test used in the Global Assessment chiropractic protocol. This will be used to evaluate changes in muscle activation response before and after a chiropractic adjustment.
Assessment of inter-limb symmetry in walking: establishment of methods (phase 1)
This study will assess the changes in arm swing and cognitive performance before and after a chiropractic adjustment, while including an evaluation of inter examiner reliability.
Variability in adjustive thrust characteristics of chiropractic faculty instructors
This project is part of the Technique Lab of the Future (TLoF), a multi-faceted biomechanical and educational project involving manual chiropractic adjustment. We use a standard pelvic “bench” with a built-in force plate, the PAT (Palpation and Adjustment Trainer) mannequin, and an Excel-based app to record and display forces and speeds of adjustment thrusts performed on the bench. Ten faculty members will perform posterior-to-anterior thrusts on the mannequin in trials with and without feedback of the amount of force, via display on a computer monitor, and we will examine their consistency with themselves and each other.
Autonomic dysfunction: a feasibility study of methodologies
This feasibility study will use 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 will take 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.
Evaluation of changes in autonomic balance following chiropractic care in patients with Covid-19 post-viral syndrome
While researchers and medical care professionals are working tirelessly to develop effective care strategies and a solution to the present SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, many patients are looking for ways to boost their body’s own natural defenses. In addition to supplementation, chiropractic care is one of the leading complementary and integrative medicine modalities that patients utilize. According to a report from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 53% of patients utilize spinal manipulative therapy – such as chiropractic – for wellness care, with 11% specifically utilizing the therapy for immune support. The purpose of this study is to pilot test an initial study protocol for the evaluation of the effects of Axial Stability Method (ASM) chiropractic care on autonomic function in individuals who are experiencing prolonged symptoms of COVID-19.
Changes in feedforward activation patterns following chiropractic care utilizing the Global Mechanical Assessment as a surrogate for neuromuscular dysfunction
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of the Global Mechanical Assessment (GMA) method as a surrogate assessment for observing changes in neuromuscular function following a single chiropractic adjustment. To serve as an accepted standard of comparison, proprioception will be evaluated using the NeuroCom Dynamic Equitest Sensory Organization Test (SOT) and time-locked surface Electromyography (EMG) will be used to assess abdominal core responsiveness to GMA testing. Abdominal care responsiveness has been used in previous studies to represent feedforward activation as part of an individual’s anticipatory preparation for movement onset.
