Efficacy and Safety of OMT on Asthmatics
Condition: Asthma
MeSH terms: Asthma
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This is a pilot study in which the objective is to determine the feasibility of a randomized
      clinical trial investigating the safety and efficacy of OMT as an adjunctive treatment for
      patients with mild to moderate asthma compared to the same patient population without the use
      of OMT. OMT may be able to correct anatomical dysfunctions that contribute to increased
      symptoms in asthmatic patients. OMT's effect on asthma will be demonstrated by symptomatology
      reporting, frequency of medication use, and pulmonary function tests.
    

Detailed description: 
      Asthma is a leading cause of activity limitation and healthcare burden in the United States
      of America. The asthmatic population is in need of treatments that target reducing asthma
      symptoms, reduce the need for medication, and improve lung functionality. As of today, there
      are not many studies investigating the efficacy and safety of osteopathic manipulative
      treatment (OMT) on asthmatic patients. This is a pilot study in which the objective is to
      determine the feasibility of a randomized clinical trial investigating the safety and
      efficacy of OMT as an adjunctive treatment for patients with mild to moderate asthma compared
      to the same patient population without the use of OMT. Subjects will be randomized into
      either a control group or an intervention group where OMT will be used in conjunction with
      standard asthmatic treatment. Subjective and objective measurements will be taken including
      the Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire, peak flow, spirometry, pulse oximetry, and
      chest/diaphragmatic excursion measurements. Measurements will be compared from baseline,
      before the first treatment and at the follow-up visit after the final treatment.
    

Intervention name(s): OMT
Intervention type(s): Other
Intervention description(s): Suboccipital Release - Finger pads are placed onto suboccipital musculature and a smooth, gentle, and rhythmic laterocephalad traction is applied to reduce muscle tension.
Paraspinal Inhibition - Hands are placed under the patient's thoracolumbar spine and contract the erector spinae tissue to draw the thoracolumbar spine into extension and hold until relaxation is felt.
Rib Raising - Hands are placed under the subject's thorax and contact the rib angles with finger pads. Fingers are flexed while adding an anteriolateral traction directed at the rib angle while maintaining neutral wrists. Arms are used as a lever by leaning forward thus creating a fulcrum with the treatment table with a smooth, rhythmic motion. This motion is repeated several times throughout the entire thoracic region, unilaterally and then switch sides.
Diaphragm Release - Hands apply a gentle pressure until a barrier or point of ease of the fascia is felt and hold that position until tissue response is felt.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: Randomized into two groups: Standard asthmatic care with OMT intervention and standard asthmatic care with no OMT.
Masking: Double (Care Provider, Investigator)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: OMT