Assessment of Chiropractic Treatment Using Reaction and Response Times in Members of the Special Operation Forces (ACT2)

The Assessment of Chiropractic Treatment 2 (ACT2) assesses changes in reaction/response times
following Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (CMT) using a randomized controlled trial in
members of SFQ or SOAR. This population is faced with simultaneous physiological and
cognitive demands. The ability to give an accurate and appropriate motor response in a short
time is required for successful completion of the types of missions they are expected to
undertake.

It is possible that chiropractic care can improve performance in reaction and response times
in populations that have low back pain and in populations that are asymptomatic. One possible
theory for improvement, even in asymptomatic persons, is that they may have experienced an
insult or stress to the body which is subclinical but alters their ability to function in an
optimal manner. Thus a person may be asymptomatic and able to accomplish many activities in a
normal manner, but when stressed to the limits of maximum capability, the effects of
subclinical abnormalities may cause that person to function at a less than optimal level. If
CMT is able to restore normal, more efficient mechanisms of functioning, it is therefore
possible that the performance of challenging tasks could be improved.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age range at least 20 years of age

- Written informed consent

- Active duty SFQ personnel or Special Operation Forces who are part of the 160th SOAR
regiment on flight status stationed at the Ft. Campbell, KY military site

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pain Intensity (NIH's PROMIS- question #29) > 4 at the Initial Visit

- Additional diagnostic procedure needed (e.g. x-ray)

- Bone and joint pathology contraindications for CMT. Potential participants with recent
spinal fracture, concurrent spinal or paraspinal tumor(s), spinal or paraspinal
infection(s), inflammatory arthropathies and significant osteoporosis will be referred
for appropriate care.

- Other contraindications for CMT (i.e., unstable spinal segments, cauda equina
syndrome)

- Currently being treated for traumatic brain injury (TBI)

- Reasonable chance that within 2-4 weeks of initial participation they may be unable to
complete the study, i.e., deployment, receive orders for a distant duty assignment or
training site or otherwise be absent from the current military site over the study
participation period.

- Received care from a Doctor of Chiropractic within the past 30 days.

- Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within 4 weeks.