SynthesisFrontiers in neurology2025
Brain functional changes following spinal manipulation therapy in patients with lumbar disc herniation and chronic low back pain: a scoping review.
Synthesis in Frontiers in neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Technologies to investigate the mechanisms of force-based manipulations: a narrative methods review.Frontiers in pain research (Lausanne, Switzerland) · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Purpose: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a common symptom in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and spinal manipulation-related therapies can alleviate pain. This study aimed to review the clinical research evidence regarding the central nervous mechanisms of spinal manipulation in treating chronic lower back pain related to lumbar disc herniation, summarize the current state of research, identify existing gaps, and lay the foundation for future studies. Methods: This scoping review was conducted according to established methodological frameworks. Original studies were retrieved from eight databases from inception to August 1, 2025. Of the 169 articles, 10 were ultimately selected as meeting the inclusion criteria. The data were systematically organized and categorized according to the research objectives. Results: The ten included studies demonstrated that spinal manipulation therapies induce significant changes in brain activity and connectivity. Key findings include modulation of the prefrontal cortex, visual network, and default mode network. These neuroplastic changes were correlated with improvements in clinical pain intensity (VAS), functional disability (ODI, JOA), and emotional states (SAS, SDS). Acupoint-specific manipulation was found to elicit distinct brain activation patterns compared to non-acupoint stimulation. Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that spinal manipulation-related therapies may alleviate LDH-associated chronic low back pain and mood disorders by modulating regions such as the prefrontal cortex, the visual network, and the default mode network. The development of standardized clinical practices and clarification of central nervous mechanisms are vital for improving pain management in this population group. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251109911, CRD420251109911.
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