N/A
Completed N=18
The Effects of Chiropractic in a Population With High Central Adiposity
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06208163 ↗Enrolled (actual)
18
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
May 2026
Primary outcomePrimary: Proportion of Potential Participants Who Are Eligible. — 0.95 Proportion
Summary
Since 1980, the global prevalence of obesity, commonly defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, has doubled. Importantly, high levels of central adiposity (i.e., abdominal fat) is associated with numerous PNI-related sequelae, including increased levels of psychological distress, cognitive deficits, ANS dysfunction, and immune marker abnormalities. To our knowledge, rigorous investigation of chiropractic's impact on psychoneuroimmunological (PNI)-related outcomes in people with high central adiposity is lacking. Based on limited evidence to date, it is plausible that clinically important PNI-related dysfunctions (e.g., heightened stress levels, executive function impairments, dysautonomia, immune dysregulation) common in this population could be ameliorated via chiropractic care.
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Proportion of Potential Participants Who Are Eligible. |
0.95 | — |
| PRIMARY Proportion of Participants Complying With Pre-baseline Lifestyle Restrictions |
1.00 | — |
| PRIMARY Proportion of Participants Able to Tolerate the Assessments |
0.94 | — |
| PRIMARY Proportion of Participants Adhering to Their Prescribed Care Plan |
0.87 | — |
| PRIMARY Proportion of Participants Retained in the Study |
0.78 | — |
| SECONDARY Changes in COMPASS-31 Raw Scores |
-5.95; -4.89 | — |
| SECONDARY Changes in PSS-10 T-scores |
-5.42; -3.57 | — |
| SECONDARY Changes in PROMIS-Cog 8 T-scores |
3.69; 2.21 | — |
| SECONDARY Changes in PROMIS-29 Subscale T-scores |
1.02; 2.31; -1.34; 2.61; -2.05; -2.43 | — |
| SECONDARY Changes in PROMIS-29 Subscale Raw Scores |
-0.58; 0.28 | — |
| SECONDARY Changes in RMSSD |
-4.72; 1.27; -3.39; -4.22; -1.60; -0.79 | — |
| SECONDARY Changes in PEP |
1.89; -0.13; -0.29; 1.99; -3.28; -0.29 | — |
| SECONDARY Changes in sIgA |
-75.70; -54.10 | — |
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- 18-65 years of age
- Body mass index (BMI) at least 30
- Waist circumference at least 35 inches if female or 40 inches if male
Exclusion Criteria
- Had chiropractic care within the past 30 days
- Prescribed short-acting benzodiazepines which include midazolam & triazolam
- If taking prescription medications, other than short-acting benzodiazepines, not on a stable dose for a minimum of 6 weeks with plans to change medications or doses during the study
- Not able to walk unassisted on a treadmill
- Known disorder resulting in syncope/fainting during postural changes (e.g., POTS, orthostatic hypotension)
- Pacemaker or known heart condition that influences the electrical or mechanical function of the heart (e.g., severe heart valve disease)
- Diagnosed with externalizing (e.g., substance use, antisocial disorder) or thought (e.g., schizophrenia, paranoid personality, bipolar) disorder that is uncontrolled or untreated
- Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, or cervical spine instability
- Hearing impairment (cognitive task uses auditory stimuli)
- Currently pregnant
- Current litigation related to a physical, health-related injury
- Whiplash injury in the past 3 months
- Oral injury, inflammation, or disease that causes the mouth or gums to bleed easily
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06208163). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication. Informational only — not medical advice.