Effect of OMT on Asthma Symptoms in Southwest Virginia

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Status: Completed

Conditions: Asthma

Treatments: Procedure: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - in clinic; Other: Education to physicians; Procedure: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - at home

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00545376

F-12

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 32 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 5 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 5-55
• mild intermittent, mild persistent, or moderate persistent asthma

Exclusion criteria

• severe persistent asthma
• congestive heart failure
• active pulmonary infection
• oral steroid burst in past month
• hospitalization for pulmonary causes in past three months
• OMT treatment directed towards thoracic and ribs in past three months

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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32 participants in 3 patient groups

1

No Intervention group

Description:

This group will leave after the first visit without additional instruction and will be asked to return in two weeks for a follow up lung assessment.

2

Experimental group

Description:

This group, at the first visit, will be taught three home OMT techniques that a family member or friend can administer to them. They will be asked to do these techniques at least 4 times a week, up to every day, for two weeks before returning for a follow up lung assessment.

Treatment:

Procedure: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - in clinic

Procedure: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - at home

3

Experimental group

Description:

This arm is the physicians that I will recruit participants through. They will be exposed to education about the use of OMT for asthma.

Treatment:

Other: Education to physicians