Standard deviation analysis of the mastoid fossa temperature differential reading: a potential model for objective chiropractic assessment

Abstract

Objective This study describes a model for statistically analyzing follow-up numeric-based chiropractic spinal assessments for an individual patient based on his or her own baseline. Methods Ten mastoid fossa temperature differential readings (MFTD) obtained from a chiropractic patient were used in the study. The first eight readings served as baseline and were compared to post-adjustment readings. Results One of the two post-adjustment MFTD readings fell outside two standard deviations of the baseline mean and therefore theoretically represents improvement according to pattern analysis theory. Conclusion This study showed how standard deviation analysis may be used to identify future outliers for an individual patient based on his or her own baseline data.