Chiropractic, Eye Tracking and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Posting Date:  Jul 14, 2025

In this episode of the Chiropractic Science Podcast, Dr. Dean Smith and Dr. Alice Cade discuss her interests of eye function and chiropractic amongst other topics. Dr. Cade is a clinician-scientist and senior lecturer at the New Zealand College of Chiropractic, with adjunct appointments in neuroscience research and teaching at the University of Auckland and the Scotland College of Chiropractic. Her research centers on how spinal function and dysfunction influence oculomotor control, multisensory integration, and neuroplasticity, particularly in the context of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Alice’s doctoral work used computerized eye tracking to examine visual markers of concussion, and her ongoing studies explore how spinal care may alter visual attention, eye tracking, and sensorimotor performance in both clinical and subclinical populations.

With a strong interest in translational science, Alice integrates VR-based behavioural testing, eye tracking, and chiropractic care to better understand brain-body interactions and to develop accessible, non-invasive tools for identifying and monitoring neurological dysfunction. She has presented this work to chiropractic, neuroscience, and vision science communities internationally and remains committed to advancing interdisciplinary, clinically meaningful research that strengthens both patient care and the profession’s scientific foundation.

Below are the articles we discuss in this episode.

1.	Effect of Chiropractic Intervention on Oculomotor and Attentional Visual Outcomes in Young Adults With Long-Term Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Cade AE, Turnbull PRK.J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2024 Jan-Jun;47(1-4):1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2024.08.003. Epub 2024 Nov 4.PMID: 39503641 Clinical Trial.
2.	Cervical Spine Vibration Modifies Oculomotor Function in Young Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury.Cade AE, Turnbull PRK.J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2024 Jan-Jun;47(1-4):96-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2024.08.001. Epub 2024 Oct 15.PMID: 39412450
3.	Clinical testing of mild traumatic brain injury using computerised eye-tracking tests.Cade A, Turnbull PR.Clin Exp Optom. 2022 Sep;105(7):680-686. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2021.2018915. Epub 2022 Jan 12.PMID: 35021960 Review.
4.	The Effects of Spinal Manipulation on Oculomotor Control in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Pilot and Feasibility Study.Cade A, Jones K, Holt K, Penkar AM, Haavik H.Brain Sci. 2021 Aug 6;11(8):1047. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11081047.PMID: 34439666 Free PMC article.