Potential changes in alpha brainwave activity associated with the application of a balance membranous technique on the sacrum.

Item

Title
Potential changes in alpha brainwave activity associated with the application of a balance membranous technique on the sacrum.
Author(s)
Norris, C
Abstract
Background; Cranial manipulation is a relatively common practice amongst osteopaths and other therapists. Using techniques that involve subtle movements around the head and other areas of the body, this type of therapy is said to have a range of clinical effects. Objective: To determine the effect cranial treatment of the sacrum has on alpha brainwave activity using an EEG device. Comparing treatment, sham and control groups. Study design: A single-blinded approach with a quasi-experimental design. Method: Subjects either received a balance membranous tension technique of their sacrum, a sham treatment or were placed in the control group. Baseline measurements were recorded both before and after the interventions. A Shapiro-Wilks test was used to test for normality, Kruskal-Wallis test was then used to test for significance within the data. Results: 28 subjects were recruited from the ESQ. Using Fisher's Exact to test the baseline characteristics, the year of study was the only factor that could have potential significance over the results (p > 0.05). Analysis of low alpha, high alpha and mediation value showed a decreased after each intervention however Kruskal Wallis tests showed that this was not significant, (p=0.4505)(p=0.5761)(p=0.1852) respectively. Analysis of the still point using statistical process control also showed no significance. Discussion: This study suggests that the application of a cranial technique on the sacrum has no statically significant effect on alpha brainwave activity. Furthermore the documented still point demonstrated no consistence increase or decrease in alpha activity. Several factors may have limited this study including the sample, equipment used and experimental procedure. Conclusion: The results of this study do not support the idea that cranial manipulation alters brainwave activity. Further research in this field is required.
Date Accepted
2015
Date Submitted
2.12.2016 16:55:00
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15909
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
Cranial osteopathy, Balance membranous tension, EEG, Sacrum
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Norris, C, “Potential changes in alpha brainwave activity associated with the application of a balance membranous technique on the sacrum.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/572