The Effect of CV4 and Sacral Technique on the Alpha Bands Power

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Compression of the fourth ventricle (CV4), is the most studied cranial technique, commonly used by Osteopathy in Cranial Field practitioners. Evidence attributed to CV4 some effects on nervous system functions, however, the supporting evidence for CV4 clinical benefits is promising but still poor. The osteopathic tradition considers the sacrum linked to the cranium through anatomical and functional connections. To our knowledge, no studies explored the potential effect of a sacral technique on brain activity as an indicator of a neurophysiological connection between the occiput and sacrum. This study aims to explore this effect by measuring the alpha-band activity during the application of a sacral technique (ST) compared to the CV4 application.

Detailed Description
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Forty healthy volunteers will receive a combination of CV4 technique, CV4 sham, sacral technique (ST) and sacral sham technique (sST). Each session, split by a 4-hour washout, will start with 10 min of no treatment (resting state), followed by two randomized interventions. Alpha EEG will be continuously recorded during each intervention and 10 min after, for a total of approximately 50-60 min per session.

Official Title
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The Effect of CV4 and Sacral Technique on the Alpha Bands Power: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Healthy, Osteopathic Manipulation

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: CV4
* Other: ST
* Other: Sham CV4
* Other: Sham ST


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Age Subjects had to sleep for at least 6 hours the night before the experiment Exclusion Criteria: Use of Psychoactive or Psychotropic Substances Cerebrovascular diseases Recent headaches Use of nicotine in the 24 hours prior to the quantitative EEG registration Use of alcohol in the previous 12 hours.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 30 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Cranial Technique CV4<br>All subjects received a combination of the active technique (CV4) and the corresponding sham technique (shamCV4). CV4: the lateral angles of the occipital squama are manually approximated slightly exaggerating the posterior convexity of the occiput and taking the cranium into sustained extension. The technique ended when the osteopath perceived the still point, a condition in which the balanced membranous or ligamentous tension is achieved. ShamCV4: sham intervention was performed by placing the hands in the same position as the corresponding active technique, applying a light touch | Other: CV4<br>* The osteopath was sitting at the head of the examination table, with the subject lying supine. The osteopath approximated with the hands the lateral angles of the occipital squama, taking the cranium into sustained extension. The technique ended when the osteopath perceived the still point, a condition in which the balanced membranous or ligamentous tension is achieved.<br>Other: Sham CV4<br>* the sham intervention was performed by placing the hands in the same position as the corresponding active technique, applying a light touch<br>|
| Active Comparator: Sacral Technique ST<br>All subjects received a combination of the active technique (ST) and the corresponding sham technique (sST). ST: The subject was lying in the supine position, while the osteopath positioned the index and middle fingers of the caudal hand on either side of the subject's sacrum. Then establishes a point of balance between the coccyx and the vertex facilitating the sacral extension until the achievement of the still point. ShamST: sham intervention was performed by placing the hands in the same position of the corresponding active technique, applying a light touch | Other: ST<br>* The subject was lying in the supine position, while the osteopath positioned the index and middle fingers of the caudal hand on either side of the subject's sacrum. Then establishes a point of balance between the coccyx and the vertex facilitating the sacral extension until the achievement of the still point<br>Other: Sham ST<br>* The sham intervention was performed by placing the hands in the same position as the corresponding active technique, applying a light touch<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alpha EEG | Quantitative EEG recording of alpha wave (8-12Hz) | 50 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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EEG, Alpha Rhythm, CV4