Effects of Osteopathic Treatment on Vestibular Disturbed Active Post Concussed Individual
Condition: Post Concussion Syndrome
MeSH terms: Post-Concussion Syndrome; Dizziness
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The proposed study is a randomized clinical trial with the purpose of determining the
      efficacy of osteopathic treatment on vestibular symptoms of the post concussed vestibular
      disturbed athlete as determined by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Balance
      Error Scoring System (BESS). Of secondary interest, this study will evaluate the osteopathic
      assessment findings of this population and side effects, positive and negative, associated
      with the osteopathic treatment provided.

      Primary Hypothesis

        1. Osteopathic treatment will have no effect on the symptoms of dizziness of the vestibular
           disturbed post concussed athlete using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory

        2. Osteopathic treatment will have no effect on the balance recovery of the vestibular
           disturbed post concussed athlete using Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)

           Secondary Hypothesis

        3. To determine the side effects of osteopathic treatment of the vestibular disturbed post
           concussed athlete
    

Detailed description: 
      The proposed study is a randomized clinical trial with the purpose of determining the
      efficacy of osteopathic treatment on vestibular symptoms of the post concussed vestibular
      disturbed athlete as determined by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Balance
      Error Scoring System (BESS). Of secondary interest, this study will evaluate the osteopathic
      assessment findings of this population and side effects, positive and negative, associated
      with the osteopathic treatment provided.

      The study will focus on Athletes between the ages of 18-40 who have received a concussion and
      continue to suffer the sequela of symptoms, including vestibular disturbances, a minimum of
      1-month and maximum of 1-year post concussion. A sports medicine physician will screen
      potential participants for inclusion and exclusion criteria and referred to the project as
      appropriate.

      All subjects will receive an initial osteopathic evaluation and baseline BESS and DHI. There
      will be a total of 7 balance tests performed each week for the first 5 weeks and then the
      final at the 8-week mark. Dizziness inventories will be completed daily for the duration of
      the 8-week project. The control group will receive the standard of care, rest, whereas the
      experimental group will receive four osteopathic treatments in addition to rest. The
      experimental group, in addition to completing BESS testing and DHI forms will also account
      for any side effects associated with osteopathic treatments daily following treatments.
    

Intervention name(s): Osteopathic treatment
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): The following treatment protocol is an outline only; structures will be treated only if the dysfunction was present during the evaluation.
Week 1: Venous Sinuses, diaphragms, major cranial compactions, sphenobasilar symphysis normalization and dural release
Week 2 Non-Physiological without respect of axis dysfunction in cranium, spine, pelvis, ankle. Non-physiological with respect of axis dysfunctions in the cranium. Temporal and orbital sutures.
Week 3 Non-Physiological with respect of axis dysfunction lesions within the spine, pelvis and ankle. Visceral tissues: kidneys, liver, spleen, heart. Cerebral hemisphere and lateral ventricles.
Week 4 Physiological dysfunctions within the cranium, spine, pelvis, and ankle. Myofascial restrictions and muscles of the jaw and eye.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Post Concussion Syndrome; Vestibular disturbance; Balance; Dizziness; Dizziness handicap inventory; Balance Error Scoring System