This study is designed to evaluate the how the brain responds to external stimulation.
Patients with chronic pain can benefit from physical therapy treatments, such as
manipulation, soft tissue massage, and exercise. This study is made up of three different
phases.
In the first phase to objective is to identify if there is a typical resting brain wave
activity (measured with EEG) in asymptomatic subjects. In the second phase of the project
the subjects will undergo physical therapy interventions and the brain wave response will
be measured. The interventions are chosen based on the fact that they have been
demonstrated in the literature to decrease pain.
Joint manipulation is a manual therapy intervention used with patients that experience
pain and decreased range of motion. When undergoing a manipulation, audible sounds often
occurring with the manipulation and sometimes this does not occur. In the current
literature there is a difference between the effects of spinal manipulation and
manipulation of the joints in the extremities. For that reason, this study will evaluate
the response in both. It is not clear in the current literature if the audible sound has
a true therapeutic effect. It is possible that patient perception of this sound will
create a specific brainwave response pattern. This might support the clinician's pursuit
of the audible sound.
Exercise has been shown to decrease pain, stiffness and increase ROM. Overall exercise
contributes to wellbeing. There are different types of exercise such as strength
exercise, aerobic exercise (aiming at increasing your heart rate) and body/ mind
exercises (Yoga). In this phase of the study brainwave response on each of these types of
exercises will be evaluated.
Soft tissue massage is a modality that has been shown to increase blood flow and decrease
pain. This change in pain perception should lead to an altered brain wave activity.
As part of the phase the brain wave response on joint manipulation, exercise, and soft
tissue massage on asymptomatic subjects will be measured and compared to each other. The
hypothesis is that there will be a predictable pattern of brain response in each
intervention.
The third phase of this study is to repeat the measures and intervention in subjects that
experience pain. The hypothesis is that there is an altered brainwave response compared
to the asymptomatic group. Additionally, in this phase the investigators will measure the
brainwave response of FGCU college athletes who sprained their ankle within three days of
the injury.