Innocuous mechanical stimulation of the neck and alterations in heart-rate variability in healthy young adults.
The present study examined the effects of cervical spinal manipulation, a widely applied form of physical therapy, which involves innocuous mechanical stimulation, on heart rate and heart-rate variability, in a cohort of healthy young adults. Using a cross-over treatment design, with a one-week washout period and, in contrast to a sham procedure, the authentic manipulation produced significant alterations in both heart rate and measures of heart-rate variability calculated from power spectrum analysis. In particular, there was an increase in the ratio of low-frequency (LF)-to-high-frequency (HF) components of the power spectrum of heart-rate variability, which may reflect a shift in balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic output to the heart.
Budgell
B
B
College of Medical Technology, Kyoto University, Japan. budgell@itan.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Hirano
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal; D008465:Mechanoreceptors / Q000502:physiology; D009333:Neck; D012016:Reference Values