EXPLORING RESEARCH
OF LIFE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
NEWS AND EVENTS OF LIFE UNIVERSITY
EXPLORING RESEARCH
Through the Eyes
OF LIFE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Life University ( Life U ) is deeply committed to conducting intensive research projects to enhance and change the world . As a higher education leader in this endeavor , several students in the College of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies ( CGUS ), College of Online Education ( COE ) and the College of Chiropractic ( COC ) have signed on to conduct different research initiatives with various goals in mind all leading to one mission : make a positive impact in the world around us .
College of Chiropractic
Courtney Bliese , D . C . ( Life U ’ 22 ), COC Research Track ; Faculty Advisor Emily Drake , M . S ., Research Scientist and Neurophysiology , Dr . Sid E Williams Center for Chiropractic Research
“ The Relationship Between EEG ( electroencephalogram ) Patterns , Heart Rate Variability , Single Session of Chiropractic Care and Stress Scores ”
This study looks at how a single session of chiropractic care changes the brain , using a couple of different electroencephalography ( EEG ) techniques . One technique examined the brain during resting state . This is considered the baseline or the starting point to gauge from . Researchers hoped to answer the question , “ How does the brain respond to unique stimulus ?” Once there is an understanding of what the changes in the brain are and how these changes influence the physiology of the body , then researchers can go back and review any specific patterns occurring in the brain to see how and if these patterns do affect the physiology .
During this study , each participant sat quietly as their EEG and electrocardiogram ( ECG ) were recorded . Next , they were given a set of headphones to listen to auditory sounds , and again they just sat quietly while they were monitored simultaneously using the EEG and ECG . A series of the same sound ( common sound ) was played over and over until a unique , “ odd ball ” ( a different sound on a different frequency ) was introduced . This “ odd ball ” sound was thrown in intermittently to gauge a person ’ s brain response time . The ECG recording was synced to the brain recordings , allowing investigators to determine if relationships exist between brain activation patterns , chiropractic care and cardiovascular responses such as heart rate variability ( HRV ).
There were 22 participants , with an average age range in their 20s , involved in this study . Half of the participants were from Life U , and the other half were from the local community . Each participant came in for two visits over a one-week period . In between the two visits , each participant received one chiropractic adjustment so that measurements could be taken a week later with the same tests to see how an adjustment affects brain response time and the body ’ s physiology .
“ Preliminary data suggests that there is a decrease in the amount of time it takes the brain to respond following chiropractic care , which has been suggested as a good thing ,” explained Dr . Stephanie Sullivan , Director of Life U ’ s Dr . Sid E . Williams Center for Chiropractic Research .
Shaleigh McBride , D . C . ( Life U ’ 22 ), COC Research Track ; Faculty Advisor Christie Kwon , M . S ., D . C ., MPH , Assistant Professor , Division of Chiropractic Sciences and Research Chair , College of Chiropractic
“ The Implementation of Chiropractic
Care in a Long-Term Residential Addiction Recovery Program : Pilot Study to Identify the Benefits of Utilizing Chiropractic in Addiction Recovery Treatment ”
Dr . Shaleigh McBride , who worked in a recovery inpatient treatment center while attending Life U , has a background in counseling and a master ’ s in clinical mental health . Her goal was to work with patients to see how Chiropractic could be introduced to help in a drug treatment facility . Her research project included 16 participants out of the 53 men enrolled in the clinic . A chiropractor volunteered his time to serve these patients during the 12-week study . Those receiving care were adjusted one time per week .
Many addicts have severe pain , and the opioids they were originally given to combat that pain have now caused their addiction . With this study , Dr . McBride ’ s goal was to have these clients receive chiropractic care to help manage their pain and help with overall quality of life and well-being during their recovery journey . Another major complaint from these clients was poor gut health , as drugs such as opioids and alcohol destroy the microbiome . Of the 16 clients , 50 % suffered from cannabis use , 5 % opioid , 40 % alcohol and 50 % polysubstance . And of the polysubstance , the majority were opioid and alcohol use . The average time frame of drug use in this study was 23.5 years , and the average age at the time of the study was 39 years old .
Dr . McBride shared the following results of her study .
“ Eighty percent of men ( 16 out of 20 ) that were participants in the study completed the addiction treatment recommendations compared to those that were not receiving
12 Alumni . life . edu | 2022