Sympathetic and parasympathetic responses to specific diversified adjustments to chiropractic vertebral subluxations of the cervical and thoracic spine

doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2008.04.001

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J Chiropr Med. 2008 Sep; 7(3): 86–93.

Published online 2008 Sep 2. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.04.001

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Table 2

Heart rate variability components demonstrating sympathetic and parasympathetic changes pre– to post–cervical or thoracic spinal segment adjustments

Components^†	Cervical Segments		Age (y)	Time^⁎ (h)	Thoracic Segments		Age (y)	Time^⁎ (h)
n = 7	Pre	Post			Pre	Post
n = 7	Subjects				Subjects
T Power^♂	524.4	434.7	44	48	874^♂	2216	55	48
LF (s)^‡	150.8	188.9			433	1301
HF (p)	34.1	49.1			137	265
LF/HF	4.40	3.90^a			3.20	4.90^e
T Power^♀	2630	1540	46	168	3701^♂	1559	47	48
LF	1034	433			1659	406
HF	746	681			1547	363
LF/HF	1.40	0.60^b			1.07	1.11^f
T Power^♂	865	645	50	144	5868^♀	4002	54	144
LF	369	274			1829	2062
HF	141	192			3181	1308
LF/HF	2.60	1.40^c			0.60	1.60^g
T Power^♀	746	825			53	48
LF	214	241
HF	263	494
LF/HF	0.80	0.50^d

Data were derived from 4 participants given cervical adjustments when indicated and 3 given thoracic adjustments. Cervical adjustments were all C1, whereas thoracic adjustments were T1 for the first subject listed and T4 for the following two. Superscript letters a to d indicate that the decrease in LF/HF ratios represents a shift to increased parasympathetic activity (HF). Superscript letters e to g indicate that the increase in LF/HF ratios represents a shift to increased sympathetic activity (LF). s, Sympathetic activity; p, parasympathetic activity; T Power, total power.

^⁎Time, in hours, between pre- and postadjustment HRV readings.

^†Components of HRV. See “Methods” for descriptions.

^‡LF represents sympathetic activity; HF represents parasympathetic activity.