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Recording the rate of the cranial rhythmic impulse
Kenneth E Nelson1, Nicette Sergueef, Thomas Glonek
1Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, 555 31st St, Downers Grove, IL 60515-1235, USA.
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
|June 23, 2006
Summary
Physicians often palpate the cranial rhythmic impulse and Traube-Hering oscillation at a 1:2 ratio. This finding explains why instrument-based measurements of the cranial rhythmic impulse yield higher rates than manual palpation.
Area of Science:
- Osteopathic manipulative medicine
- Physiology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- The cranial rhythmic impulse (CRI) is a palpable phenomenon.
- Instrumental measurements of CRI often report higher rates than palpation.
- CRI is known to be synchronous with Traube-Hering oscillations (THO) in blood flow velocity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between palpated CRI and THO rates.
- To explain the discrepancy between palpated and instrumentally measured CRI rates.
Main Methods:
- Physicians performed palpation of the CRI.
- Simultaneous measurement of blood flow velocity to assess THO.
- Comparison of palpated CRI rates with THO rates.
Main Results:
- Physicians consistently palpated the CRI and THO in a 1:2 ratio.
- This 1:2 ratio provides a physiological explanation for observed rate differences.
Conclusions:
- The 1:2 palpation ratio of CRI to THO offers a novel explanation for discrepancies in CRI measurement.
- Understanding this ratio may improve the accuracy and consistency of CRI assessment.
