The Effect of Upper Cervical Manipulation on Autonomic Nervous System in Young Healthy Individuals

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the alteration of upper cervical manipulation to autonomic nervous system(ANS) through the heart rate variability(HRV) analysis in young healthy individuals. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Thirty four young healthy participants (17 males and 17 females) were randomized into the 2 groups, such as the uppercervical manipulation group (UCM group, n=17), neck stretching group (NS group, n=17). UCM group received a upper cervicalmanipulation, especially on the atlas, and NS group did stretch for both side of upper trapezius and levator scapular. For the UCM,Atlas mobility was checked by therapist and thrust was given once at the posterior arch of Atlas. HRV was measured before andafter intervention to investigate ANS alteration. After the intervention, both groups were given 3 minutes break-time beforemeasuring HRV. Results: The UCM group showed significant differences in ANS Activity, Stress Resistance, Stress index and Fatigue Index (p<0.05) while no differences in NS group with before and after intervention. There were significant differences in ANS Activity,Stress Resistance, and Fatigue Index between groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggected that upper cervical manipulationhas positive effects on the ANS activity, stress resistance, andfatigue index.