Between-group differences in resting-state functional connectivity within the brain’s extended triple-network following genuine and sham chiropractic adjustments: a quasi-experimental pilot trial
- 1Life University , , ,
- 2Peachy Keen Chiropractic , , ,
Abstract
Introduction: Chiropractic research has traditionally focused on subjective, pain-related outcomes; however, emerging evidence suggests that chiropractic care may also influence neurophysiological functioning. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of a neurophysiological assessment battery and explore differences in brain and autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses following genuine versus sham chiropractic adjustments.
Methods: In this pilot quasi-experimental, sham-controlled trial, 30 adults received a single session of either genuine or sham instrument-assisted chiropractic care. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) were collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and one week later. Feasibility outcomes included study procedures and participant blinding. Exploratory outcomes included changes in EEG functional connectivity (FC) and heart rate variability (HRV).
Results: The study protocol was feasible to implement, and participant blinding was successful. Compared with sham care, genuine chiropractic care was associated with increased resting-state FC within a broadly distributed cluster spanning cortical regions of the brain’s extended triple-network, including the medial frontoparietal, dorsolateral frontoparietal, and mid-cingulo-insular networks, in the delta and theta frequency bands. No between-group differences were observed for HRV measures.
Discussion: These findings suggest that genuine chiropractic adjustments may differentially influence resting-state functional connectivity within large-scale brain networks compared with sham care. Although no effects on HRV were observed, the neurophysiological findings support further investigation in a fully powered randomized controlled trial to confirm these effects and determine their clinical significance.
Trial registration and funding: This trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05249530) and funded by Life University (Marietta, GA, USA).
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BibTeX
@article{sullivan2026betweengroup,
title = {{Between-group differences in resting-state functional connectivity within the brain’s extended triple-network following genuine and sham chiropractic adjustments: a quasi-experimental pilot trial}},
author = {Stephanie Sullivan and Margaret Sliwka and Emily Drake and Tyson M. Perez},
journal = {Frontiers in human neuroscience},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2026.1984309},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727520},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Between-group differences in resting-state functional connectivity within the brain’s extended triple-network following genuine and sham chiropractic adjustments: a quasi-experimental pilot trial
AU - Stephanie Sullivan
AU - Margaret Sliwka
AU - Emily Drake
AU - Tyson M. Perez
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Frontiers in human neuroscience
DO - 10.3389/fnhum.2026.1984309
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13727520
AB - Introduction: Chiropractic research has traditionally focused on subjective, pain-related outcomes; however, emerging evidence suggests that chiropractic care may also influence neurophysiological functioning. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility of a neurophysiological assessment battery and explore differences in brain and autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses following genuine versus sham chiropractic adjustments. Methods: In this pilot quasi-experimental, sham-controlled trial, 30 adults received a single session of either genuine or sham instrument-assisted chiropractic care. Resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) were collected at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and one week later. Feasibility outcomes included study procedures and participant blinding. Exploratory outcomes included changes in EEG functional connectivity (FC) and heart rate variability (HRV). Results: The study protocol was feasible to implement, and participant blinding was successful. Compared with sham care, genuine chiropractic care was associated with increased resting-state FC within a broadly distributed cluster spanning cortical regions of the brain’s extended triple-network, including the medial frontoparietal, dorsolateral frontoparietal, and mid-cingulo-insular networks, in the delta and theta frequency bands. No between-group differences were observed for HRV measures. Discussion: These findings suggest that genuine chiropractic adjustments may differentially influence resting-state functional connectivity within large-scale brain networks compared with sham care. Although no effects on HRV were observed, the neurophysiological findings support further investigation in a fully powered randomized controlled trial to confirm these effects and determine their clinical significance. Trial registration and funding: This trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05249530) and funded by Life University (Marietta, GA, USA).
SN - 1662-5161
ER -