| Introduction: This report uses a portable thermometer for mastoid fossa temperature differentials (MFTD) analysis in the case of a patient experiencing stomach pains. Methods: A 49 year old female received MFTD readings on 10 visits using the Thermofocus infrared thermometer. Five of readings were considered to represent an abnormal state according to pattern theory due to the persistence of the warm side. A standard deviation analysis was for the purpose of estimating future outliers compared to the baseline of the five abnormal MFTD readings. Results: A chiropractic adjustment for vertebral subluxation was given and the post-adjustment MFTD reading fell outside three standard deviations of the mean of the five abnormal MFTD baseline readings. Concurrently, the patient’s clinical picture improved (stomach pains were relieved). Discussion: From a statistical standpoint, the adjustment was considered to be successful based on the post-adjustment reading falling outside three standard deviations of the mean of the abnormal baseline. Although clinical significance of standard deviation analysis of Thermofocus MFTD findings has yet to be established, the coinciding symptomatic relief suggests that clinical significance may have accompanied statistical significance in this case.
Conclusion: This report shows how a portable infrared thermometer can be used with standard deviation analysis. Further research is needed to establish clinical significance of this approach. This abstract is reproduced with the permission of the publisher; full text by subscription.
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