title: The effect of cranial manipulation on the Traube-Hering-Mayer oscillation as measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A correlation has been established between the Traube-Hering-Mayer oscillation in blood-flow velocity, measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry, and the cranial rhythmic impulse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of cranial manipulation on the Traube-Hering-Mayer oscillation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of 23 participants, 13 received a sham treatment and 10 received cranial manipulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Department, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Ill.
  
  
  METHODS
  Healthy adult subjects of both sexes participated (N = 23).
  
  
  METHODS
  A laser-Dopper flowmetry probe was placed on the left earlobe of each subject to obtain a 5-min baseline blood-flow velocity record. Cranial manipulation, consisting of equilibration of the global cranial motion pattern and the craniocervical junction, was then applied for 10 to 20 min; the sham treatment was palpation only.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immediately following the procedures, a 5-min posttreatment laser-Doppler recording was acquired. For each cranial treatment subject, the 4 major components of the blood-flow velocity record, the thermal (Mayer) signal, the baro (Traube-Hering) signal, the respiratory signal, and the cardiac signal, were analyzed, and the pretreatment and posttreatment data were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 10 participants who received cranial treatment showed a thermal signal power decrease from 47.79 dB to 38.49 dB (P < .001) and the baro signal increased from 47.40dB to 51.30 dB (P < .021), while the respiratory and cardiac signals did not change significantly (P > .05 for both).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cranial manipulation affects the blood-flow velocity oscillation in its low-frequency Traube-Hering-Mayer components. Because these low-frequency oscillations are mediated through parasympathetic and sympathetic activity, it is concluded that cranial manipulation affects the autonomic nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Ill, USA.
authors.forename: Nicette
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sergueef
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Glonek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D008297:Male; D020393:Manipulation, Spinal; D008875:Middle Aged