• Hart J

• Heart Rate

Introduction: Research typically shows that a lower resting pulse rate (RPR) is healthier than a higher RPR. Limited research on reduction of RPR following chiropractic care warrants further research. Accordingly, the present study compares RPRs between a small group of chiropractic student-patients and a similar group from the general population.

Methods: RPR data from a convenience sample of 17 chiropractic students, who were also chiropractic patients (CSP), were compared to a reference group from the general population. Both groups consisted of young adult white males and were compared using a two sample t test and effect size.

Results: The CSP group had a mean RPR of 65.2 BPM compared to the general population group whose mean RPR was 71 BPM, a difference that was statistically significant (p = 0.0097). A low-to-medium effect size (of 0.39) was observed for this difference as well.

Conclusion: This group of chiropractic student-patients had a lower average resting pulse rate compared to their reference group. Further study with random sampling and an accounting of other potential confounders such as physical fitness is warranted.

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