NCT00545376

Effect of OMT on Asthma Symptoms in Southwest Virginia

The Use of Osteopathic Manipulation in a Clinic and Home Setting to Address Pulmonary Distress as Related to Asthma in Southwest Virginia

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (actual)
• Sponsor: Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 5 Years – 55 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

There is a high prevalence of asthma in southwest Virginia and there are multiple osteopathic manipulative techniques (OMT) which are thought to improve lung function. However, there are inadequate studies regarding the effectiveness of using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as an office treatment or a home treatment to address obstructive lung disease. In addition, there is little information on the level of acceptance, use, and cost effectiveness of using OMT in rural southwest Virginia. The purpose of this study is to determine the viability of OMT treatment with asthma, the level of acceptance in selected clinics in southwest Virginia, and the effectiveness of home OMT education in order to implement a program to improve asthma control. The study hypotheses are: 1. Osteopathic manipulation delivered to the asthmatic patient will significantly improve spirometry values, thoracic excursion, and subjective asthma symptoms. (.05 alpha) 2.Patients who are taught and use a home treatment regime for asthma will significantly improve spirometry values, thoracic excursion, and subjective asthma symptoms after two weeks, compare with those who do not have home treatment. 3.Physicians educated on the use of OMT for asthma will increase their perceived future use of OMT as an adjunct to treat this disorder.

Detailed description

In this study, participants will be recruited from several family practice, pulmonologist, and asthma specialist offices in southwest Virginia. These participants will undergo two visits. At the first visit, a lung assessment comprised of three components will be performed, then a 10 minute OMT session, then the lung assessment will be repeated. The lung assessment includes a patient symptom survey, a thoracic excursion measurement, and spirometry. The participants will then be divided into one of two groups. Group 1 will have no further instruction while group 2 will be taught some simple home OMT techniques and asked to do them at home. Both groups will return two weeks later for a follow up lung assessment. Results when then be studied to determine the effect of OMT on lung function in asthmatics as well as the effect of incorporating home OMT. In addition, physicians will be involved in learning about OMT and these techniques and they will be assessed for a change in attitude, awareness, and willingness to incorporate OMT when applicable.

Conditions

• Asthma

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - in clinic	I will do a thoracic/rib screening and treatment with muscle energy or facilitated positional release, a diaphragm soft tissue release, suboccipital release, and a thoracic compression. This treatment takes 10 minutes and is only done at the first visit.
PROCEDURE	Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - at home	One group will learn how to do three home OMT techniques: suboccipital release, pectoral traction, and rib raising. They will be asked to do this at least 4 times a week for two weeks.
OTHER	Education to physicians	I will educate physicians using demonstration and reading material as to the possible benefits of incorporating it into the treatment of asthma.

Timeline

• Start date: 2007-10-01
• Primary completion: 2008-01-01
• Completion: 2008-02-01
• First posted: 2007-10-17
• Last updated: 2019-07-22

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States