NCT07260045

The Effects of Chiropractic on Adults With Depression

The Effects of Chiropractic on Adults With Depression: a Pilot Study

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Life University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility of the study design in preparation for a future clinical trial examining chiropractic care for adults with mild to moderate depression. We aim to determine whether the study procedures function as intended, including the ability to recruit, retain, and engage participants, as well as whether the intervention is implemented as planned. The main questions it aims to answer is: 1. Can sufficient eligible participants be enrolled within the planned timeframe? 2. Is there any retention of participant throughout the study duration and the factors contributing to ongoing participation? 3. Can participants adhere to pre-treatment instructions and protocols before their first check-up? 4. Can participants attend and complete all assessments and chiropractic sessions? 5. Can participants fulfill all required study activities without excessive burden? 6. Can chiropractors strictly follow chiropractic adjustments only, without offering any additional treatments? Researchers will compare adults with depression on the waitlist group to see if chiropractic care effects on adults with depression. Participants will * Perform resting state Electrocardiography (ECG) * Perform resting state Electroencephalography (EEG) * Perform Event-related potential (ERP) à Auditory and visual stimuli tests * Complete Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) * COMPASS-31 * PROMIS-29 * PROMIS-Cog-8 * Perceived Stress Scale * Depression Short Form 8a * Complete Assessment of Acceptability * Complete Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) * Receive 6 weeks of chiropractic care treatment

Detailed description

The investigators shall recruit 20 participants for each group, who are currently aged between 18 and 65 years and have mild to moderate depression which is measured by T score.

Conditions

• Depression Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Chiropractic Care	Participants of the treatment group will be randomly assigned to chiropractic care for 6 weeks. Participants will have their upper cervical spine (C1/C2) assessed for the presence of vertebral subluxations per the chiropractor's normal and customary procedures.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-01
• Primary completion: 2026-03-01
• Completion: 2026-03-30
• First posted: 2025-12-02
• Last updated: 2025-12-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States