None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Feeding is vital for newborns, but musculoskeletal imbalances can make breastfeeding difficult, leading to latch problems, discomfort, and stress for families. This study will investigate whether gentle chiropractic care can help infants with postural imbalances that interfere with feeding. Over eight weeks, infants will receive chiropractic care while researchers track posture, feeding, health, and development. Posture will be measured with automated pose recognition, feeding assessed using the MIBAQ questionnaire, health and comfort through parent surveys, and neurodevelopment with the Bayley Scales. Findings may show whether chiropractic care improves feeding, comfort, and development, offering families and health professionals a new evidence-based option for supporting infant health.
Interventions
The intervention will consist of gentle chiropractic adjustments to dysfunctional spinal segments and cranial sutures. Participants will attend weekly sessions of approximately 30-45 minutes, for 8 weeks. The intervention will be provided by a chiropractor with significant training and experience (10+ years) in pediatric chiropractic care. The intervention will be delivered in a pragmatic approach based on the assessment of the chiropractor, rather than a generic treatment, as this reflects stan
The intervention will consist of gentle chiropractic adjustments to dysfunctional spinal segments and cranial sutures. Participants will attend weekly sessions of approximately 30-45 minutes, for 8 weeks. The intervention will be provided by a chiropractor with significant training and experience (10+ years) in pediatric chiropractic care. The intervention will be delivered in a pragmatic approach based on the assessment of the chiropractor, rather than a generic treatment, as this reflects standard practice. The infant may be placed on a special pillow with the center hollowed out for comfort and safety. Spinal adjustments involve a light fingertip contact on the restricted side of the affected segment and applying gentle pressure which is held for several seconds until a change in the muscle tone is felt. Cranial adjustments are given with light fingertip contacts along the restricted cranial sutures and applying gentle pressure with small strokes into the area. Full documentation of the assessment and treatment given will be recorded by the chiropractor in study specific treatment notes. Caregivers will also receive standard advice on positioning practices and tummy time to reduce the postural asymmetry and risk of the development of plagiocephaly.
Sponsors
The University of Auckland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
4 Weeks to 6 Weeks
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Infants aged 4-6 weeks old, born full term, evidence of postural asymmetry and breastfeeding dysfunction (identified by healthcare provider or parent), confirmed by baseline assessment and questionnaire.
Exclusion criteria
Infants with known congenital anomalies of the central nervous system, chromosomal abnormalities, complex congenital heart disease, non-intact skin on the scalp, any absolute contraindications to chiropractic adjustments (spinal fracture, spinal infection, spinal tumor), evidence of spinal dysfunction, or a previous significant adverse response to chiropractic care.
Outcome results
None listed