NCT02168153

Assessment of Chiropractic Treatment Using Reaction and Response Times in Members of the Special Operation Forces (ACT2)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (actual)
• Sponsor: RAND · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate changes in reaction times (RTs) and response times (RespTs) following chiropractic treatment compared to controls in the Special Forces Qualified (SFQ) population, including Special Operation Forces who are part of the 160th SOAR regiment on flight status.

Detailed description

The Assessment of Chiropractic Treatment 2 (ACT2) assesses changes in reaction/response times following Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (CMT) using a randomized controlled trial in members of SFQ or SOAR. This population is faced with simultaneous physiological and cognitive demands. The ability to give an accurate and appropriate motor response in a short time is required for successful completion of the types of missions they are expected to undertake. It is possible that chiropractic care can improve performance in reaction and response times in populations that have low back pain and in populations that are asymptomatic. One possible theory for improvement, even in asymptomatic persons, is that they may have experienced an insult or stress to the body which is subclinical but alters their ability to function in an optimal manner. Thus a person may be asymptomatic and able to accomplish many activities in a normal manner, but when stressed to the limits of maximum capability, the effects of subclinical abnormalities may cause that person to function at a less than optimal level. If CMT is able to restore normal, more efficient mechanisms of functioning, it is therefore possible that the performance of challenging tasks could be improved.

Conditions

• Physiological Measurements of Response and Reaction Times

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy	Participants will receive chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy consisting of High velocity low amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulative procedures. These procedures are typically associated with a quick manual thrust and a cavitation sound. For the cervical spine, a procedure called a cervical index pillar push, thoracic manipulation will occur with unilateral or bimanual contacts in the prone or supine positions and lumbar/pelvis manipulation will be performed with a procedure referred to as side-lying or side-posture.
OTHER	Wait-list	Participants randomized to the wait-list control group will complete questionnaires and perform the same study procedures as those randomized to the chiropractic manipulative therapy arm. After completing the required 2-week waiting period, those who wish to receive chiropractic manipulative therapy will be eligible to schedule treatment visits.

Timeline

• Start date: 2014-08-01
• Primary completion: 2016-06-01
• Completion: 2016-06-01
• First posted: 2014-06-20
• Last updated: 2019-04-19
• Results posted: 2019-04-19

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States