Spine adjustments tested for Post-Concussion relief
NCT ID NCT06151184
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This small, early-stage trial looked at whether chiropractic adjustments could affect how the nervous system works in people with post-concussion syndrome. Only 3 people were enrolled before the study ended. Researchers measured brain activity, heart signals, and walking patterns before, during, and after 6 weeks of chiropractic care. The goal was to see if the approach is worth studying further, not to prove it works.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- chiropractic adjustment
- What this could lead to
- If this works, it could point toward a non-drug way to help people with lingering concussion symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early proof-of-concept trial (only 3 participants enrolled) that was terminated. It cannot prove effectiveness, only test if the approach is feasible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
3 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2024
- Finished
-
Jan 2026
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 years and older
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 18 or older * Diagnosed by a physician with post-concussion syndrome OR self-identifies as having a concussion based on responses to the HELPS screening tool * Has at least 3 of the following chronic symptoms at least 3 months since concussion: headache; dizziness; insomnia; fatigue; concentration difficulty; memory difficulty; intolerance to stress, emotions, and alcohol; irritability * Able to understand and communicate in English * Able to make informed decisions without assistance * Can wear an EEG net for 40 minutes * Can sit quietly for at least 15 minutes * Capable of walking on a treadmill at a comfortable pace for 10 minutes consecutively * Capable of moving from a supine to standing to supine position quickly and safely * Able to wear multiple electrodes placed on chest, back, and fingertips * Able to wear multiple sensors placed on head, back, pelvis, hands, arms, and legs * Has not had a chiropractic adjustment within the last one month * Has not received any other interventions within the past one month such as osteopathic spinal manipulation, physical therapy rehabilitation or manipulation, massage, body movement therapies, or acupuncture Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with a serious mental disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder * Has malignant hypertension, which is a condition whereby their blood pressure rises suddenly and quickly * Has a known condition that causes syncope with postural changes, such as POTS * Has an implanted device (i.e., pacemaker) * Has a physical disability affecting their gait * Has a history of previous surgery or injury to the musculoskeletal structures or skull in the past three months * Has a prosthetic for any extremity * Has a hearing impairment or uses a hearing aid * History of stroke * Taking short-acting benzodiazepines, which includes midazolam and triazolam * Involved with current litigation related to a physical health-related injury * Untreated diagnosed osteoporosis or articular instability such as atlanto-axial instability * Currently pregnant * Unwilling to wash hair/head and remove hair products, accessories, braids, or wigs for assessment appointments * Deemed high-risk using the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and referred for further evaluation (assessed at initial session in lab) * Experiences daily/chronic pain \>3 out of 10 on the visual analog scale (VAS)
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Post-concussion syndrome are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Dr. Sid E. Williams Center for Chiropractic Research
Marietta, Georgia, 30067, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Could a 7-Day steroid course tame Post-Concussion headaches?
- Can closer exercise coaching speed recovery from concussion?
- Could a talking therapy ease persistent concussion symptoms?
- Powerful 7T MRI may reveal brain injuries standard scans miss
- Oxygen chamber trial for Kids' concussion symptoms halted early
- Could a spinning chair help heal concussion symptoms?