The effects of spinal manipulation on the intensity of emotional arousal in phobic subjects exposed to a threat stimulus: a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of spinal manipulation upon the intensity of emotional arousal in phobic subjects exposed to a threat stimulus.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial.


METHODS
Community college campus.


METHODS
Eighteen phobic community college student volunteers randomized into treatment and control groups.


METHODS
Visual analog scale (VAS) and pulse rates were obtained in response to the subjects' viewing their phobogenic stimulus. Spinal manipulation was performed while the subjects experienced emotional responses. Manual muscle testing was utilized to ascertain the associated spinal segments and involved emotion.


RESULTS
Data were analyzed using analysis of variance for a repeated measures experimental design and Least Significant Differences (LSDs) for mean comparisons. Baseline, preintervention and postintervention pulse rates were not statistically different for the control and treatment groups (p = .0807). VAS postintervention mean for the spinal manipulation group was significantly lower than the control means (p = .05) and from its corresponding preintervention mean (p = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Spinal manipulation significantly decreased the intensity of emotional arousal reported by phobic subjects. The mechanism for this effect is not known.
Peterson
K B
KB
kbp@oregontrail.net
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001143:Arousal; D002684:Chiropractic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology*