NCT07071194

Asthma and Osteopathic Manipulative Technique

The Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Respiratory Function in Patients With Asthma

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 60 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Asthma is a common respiratory condition that can be difficult to control despite the use of medications such as inhalers, oral steroids or even injectable medications. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on technique used to improve the chest structure and function and may help in improving breathing. Previous research showed that OMT in asthma patients, can improve the movement of the ribs and improve the "peak flow" which is the maximum rate at which a person can exhale air after taking a deep breath. However, no studies have evaluated the impact of OMT on lung inflammation. This single-site research study at University Hospitals aims to evaluate whether Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) can reduce lung inflammation and improve breathing and lung function in adult patients with asthma. The lung function will be evaluated by Spirometry which is a test that measures how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs, as well as how quickly and easily you can exhale air. The lung inflammation will be measured using a device that can detect how much you are breathing out Nitric Oxide which is a gas produced by inflamed cells in the lungs, this test is called: Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide or FeNO. Approximately 100 participants will be enrolled.

Conditions

• Asthma

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	OMT	Patients in the treatment group will undergo OMT using sub-occipital release, rib raising, doming the diaphragm, thoracic inlet release and myofascial techniques.
OTHER	Light touch	Patients in the control group will undergo light touch in similar locations to OMT.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-02-01
• Primary completion: 2026-08-01
• Completion: 2026-08-01
• First posted: 2025-07-17
• Last updated: 2025-12-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States