Comparison of the immediate effects of anterior and posteriorally applied chiropractic thoracic high-speed low-amplitude manipulation on the autonomic nervous system

This study aimed to compare the immediate effects of supine and prone thoracic high-speed-low-amplitude chiropractic manipulations on the autonomic nervous system. 62 healthy and volunteer participants aged 18-45 years were included in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to the supine and prone practice groups. Heart rate variability data were obtained with the Elite HRV CorSense device for 5 minutes before the supine manipulation group, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured, and pulse and saturation values were recorded. After the measurement, supine chiropractic manipulation was applied to the mid-thoracic region, and then the same measurements were repeated. The same measurements were made in the prone manipulation group, then chiropractic manipulation was applied to the mid-thoracic region in the prone position, and the measurements were repeated after the practice. Heart rate variability data were analyzed with Elite HRV application, pulse, saturation, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were recorded and the results were evaluated statistically. In the comparison between the groups, systolic and diastolic blood pressure values decreased in the prone group, while the LF/HF ratio increased (p<0.05). Considering the difference between the groups, the change in the LF/HF ratio was found to be significant between the two groups (p<0.05). The effect of the prone application on the autonomic nervous system was found to be greater than the supine practice.