Computer-aided pattern analysis of temperature differentials.
Chiropractic analysis often incorporates the evaluation of heat distribution patterns observed in skin temperature profiles. Historically, temperature recordings of the spine have been made with a heat detection instrument using a thermocouple design. The advent of refinements in infrared technology, however, have greatly enhanced temperature detection in terms of accuracy and reliability. The present research reflects the development of computer software designed to express the data obtained with a dual channel heat sensing instrument. Two phases are involved: a) digital information, received from the sensing instrument, is standardized, stored for future analysis, and retrieved for comparisons with other graphs; b) stored data is graphically displayed, statistically analyzed, and otherwise compared. The data is displayed for visual observation as a) temperature data received from either channel of the sensing instrument or b) relative temperature differences between data from both channels of the sending instrument. For statistical evaluation, corresponding readings (comparisons between graphs) are plotted against one another and analyzed by a moving Pearson Product Moment correlation and moving t-test. This evaluation is graphically represented with a numeric display of pertinent statistical values. Current work indicates that a 10 point moving correlation and t-test will yield accurate comparisons between graphs.