Improvement in Motor Function, Postural Stability,
Joint Position and Reaction Time with Chiropractic
A study published on April 10, 2017, in the
scientific journal, the Annals of Vertebral
Subluxation Research, documented the case of a
74-year-old man who showed improvements in function,
reaction time, postural stability, and joint
position awareness due to chiropractic care.
The study begins by pointing out that the processing
of sensory input from one's environment involves
combining information from multiple sensory sources
into the brain. Sensory processing is most
efficient when both central and peripheral sensory
organs are functioning properly. Since the nervous
system controls all sensory organs, it is imperative
that the nervous system be functioning at peak
levels for the sensory input to be correct, and the
body to formulate a proper response to the input.
The
authors note that, as a person gets older, there is
a decrease in the ability to properly process
sensorimotor information. The result could include a
reduction in postural stability, joint position
sense, vibration perception and touch thresholds as
well as a decrease in simple and complex reaction
times.
To test if chiropractic could have a positive effect
on the decrease in processing of sensory input, a
chiropractic research trial was created. In this
case, a 74-year-old man with no immediate symptoms
was included in the clinical trial. His joint
position sense, reaction time and postural stability
were all measured prior to chiropractic care, and
recorded as a base-line to be compared against
during and after chiropractic.
The man's joint position sense was measured using a
computerized Macroderma Proprioception test platform
(MTP-2). In this test, the patient is instructed to
move their ankle to a specific position, then move
it around and return it to the original position. It
is then measured and averaged over 20 repetitions.
This showed that his pre-chiropractic MTP-2 result
was 2.26 degrees.
Reaction time was measured using a Macroderma
Reaction Platform MP-3 device which measured how
quickly a patient could move their feet into a
position in response to a light. After 20
repetitions, the man's average for this test was
1151ms.
The man's postural stability was measured using a
computerized balance platform (CAPS). This tested
his ability to keep postural position with his eyes
closed. Initially, he was unable to keep his balance
with his eyes closed during the this test.
A series of specific chiropractic adjustments were
then performed on the man on a regular schedule
based upon the findings of a chiropractic
examination. At the 4 week and 12 week period, the
man was re-tested for his joint position sense,
reaction time, and postural stability.
The man's joint positioning improved from 2.26° to
1.34° after just 4 weeks, and to 1.58° after 12
weeks of chiropractic care. This represented a 30%
improvement when compared to his initial evaluation.
Likewise, his reaction times improved by 15%, going
from 1151ms initially to 1007ms after 4 weeks, and
to 984ms after 12 weeks of chiropractic. His
postural stability went from not being able to
perform the test prior to chiropractic, to where the
man was able to keep his balance with his eyes
closed during the testing.
In summing up the positive results of this case, the
authors stated in their conclusion, "This case
report documents significant improvements in
sensorimotor function in an asymptomatic 74-year-old
male receiving chiropractic care. This suggests that
chiropractors may have a role to play in caring for
older people even if they are asymptomatic."
|