NCT06931600

Simulated vs Genuine Manual Chiropractic Adjustments

Blinding Integrity Following Multiple Sessions of Simulated or Genuine High Velocity, Low Amplitude (HVLA) Manual Chiropractic Adjustments: a Pilot Study

• Status: Suspended
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Life University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Our primary aim with this trial is to measure participant blinding following two simulated/sham or genuine/real high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) manual chiropractic adjustments to assess if participants are able to identify their un-disclosed treatment group. Our secondary aims with this trial are to utilize electrocardiography (ECG), impedance cardiography (ICG), and gait analysis before either treatment session and after both treatment sessions to assess if there are any changes with the participants' measurements before and after a sham or genuine HVLA chiropractic treatment.

Detailed description

The primary aim of this trial is to assess blinding following simulated/sham or genuine/real high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) manual chiropractic adjustments. Briefly, 60 eligible participants will be randomized (1:1 ratio) to receive two sessions of either simulated/sham or genuine/real chiropractic spinal adjustments with a 1 week washout between each treatment. The participants will be given a brief survey immediately following their first and second sessions, as well as immediately prior to the second session. This survey captures their perceptions and experiences regarding the intervention they received. The participants will also complete a pre- and post-electrocardiogram (ECG), impedance cardiography (ICG), and gait analysis. The participant will wear electrical diodes to assess ECG and ICG. Additional sensors will be placed on the participant to assess gait patterns while walking on a treadmill.

Conditions

• Subluxation

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Sham adjustment	Two manual high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) simulated/sham chiropractic interventions in the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbopelvic regions
PROCEDURE	Chiropractic adjustment	Two manual high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) genuine/real chiropractic interventions in the cervical, thoracic, and/or lumbopelvic regions

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-05
• Primary completion: 2026-04-01
• Completion: 2026-05-01
• First posted: 2025-04-17
• Last updated: 2026-03-30

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States