NCT05899972

Influence of an Osteopathic Treatment Protocol on the Improvement of Sleep Quality in Young Adults With Insomnia

Study of the Influence of an Osteopathic Treatment Protocol on the Improvement of Sleep: a Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 50 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 30 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Sleep deprivation, which is a universal necessity, has serious physiological consequences. Sleep disorders are among the most common health problems, and yet they are often neglected. The osteopathic treatment results in vasodilation, muscle relaxation and increased blood flow, resulting in improved range of motion, decreased pain perception and/or tissue changes. Thus, osteopathy ensures improved physical and mental health, which consequently helps patients with their sleep disorders.

Detailed description

Humans spend about a third of their lives sleeping, but most individuals know little about sleep. Sleep deprivation, which is a universal necessity, has serious physiological consequences. Based on behavioral and physiological criteria, human sleep is divided into two phases: Non Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM). NREM sleep corresponds to 75% to 80% of sleep and REM approximately 20% to 25% of sleep, existing between four to six episodes. Sleep disorders are among the most common health problems, and yet they are often neglected. It is estimated that millions of people suffer chronically from a sleep or wakefulness disorder, impairing their health and longevity. According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) there are eight categories of sleep disorders and clinical history is essential for diagnosis, including family history, medical, psychiatric, neurological or substance abuse disorders. Insomnia is a sleep disorder defined by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It can cause significant distress and impair daily tasks. The symptoms of insomnia are expressed by having difficulty falling asleep, waking up frequently during the night, waking up very early on a daily basis, and tiredness already present upon waking up. Osteopathic treatment results in vasodilation, muscle relaxation and increased blood flow, resulting in improved range of motion, decreased pain perception and/or tissue changes (Henley, Ivins, Mills, Wen, \& Benjamin, 2008). Thus, osteopathy ensures improved physical and mental health, which consequently helps patients with their sleep disorders.

Conditions

• Healthy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Placebo technique	With the volunteer in a supine position, the researcher placed the palms of their hands on the patient's shoulders. The contact is made with the hands on the shoulder blades of the volunteer for 6 minutes.
OTHER	Suboccipital inhibition technique	With the volunteer in a supine position, the investigator is sitting position at the patient's bedside. The investigator starts by placing both hands under the patient's head in the occipital region. After palpating the suboccipital muscles, the investigator uses the second, third and fourth fingers of both hands flexed against the muscle belly and remains in this position.
OTHER	Frontal lift technique	With the volunteer in a supine position, the investigator is sitting position at the patient's bedside. The investigator positions the tips of both index fingers on either side of the metopic suture while the third finger remains resting on the frontal bone so that the tips of the fourth fingers contact the zygomatic processes bilaterally. A slight pressure is applied with the index fingers and an anterior pressure is performed.
OTHER	Parietal lift technique	With the volunteer in a supine position, the investigator is sitting position at the patient's bedside. The investigator places the palms on the lateral edges of the parietal bones and the thumbs crossed at the sagittal suture. First, a medial pressure is administered with the second, third and fourth fingers and then a cephalic traction is performed.
OTHER	IV ventricle technique	With the volunteer in a supine position, the investigator is sitting position at the patient's bedside. The investigator positions his hands in a shell and thumbs together at the level of the spinous apophyses of the patient's second or third cervical vertebra.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-09-01
• Primary completion: 2024-12-01
• Completion: 2024-12-31
• First posted: 2023-06-12
• Last updated: 2024-04-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Portugal