Clinical trial NCT01153412: Effect of Osteopathic Manipulation on Postural Stability in the Elderly
Official title: Effect of Osteopathic Manipulation on Postural Stability in the Elderly
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: Balance Control in Elderly
Lead sponsor: University of North Texas Health Science Center
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2010-06-30
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 65
Standard ages: OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: BASIC_SCIENCE

Brief summary: Postural stability and balance are defined as the body's ability to return the body back to its equilibrium point when exposed to a perturbation. This exploratory project is based on the hypotheses that decreased balance (increased sway as measured by the center of pressure of the body during quiet standing) causes an increased risk of falls and osteopathic manipulative treatment can improve postural balance. To test these hypotheses, the investigators will investigate the kinematics (study of the way the body moves) of postural balance in two cohorts of healthy elders, those receiving manipulation and those not receiving manipulation. We hypothesize that OMT is effective to increase postural stability, balance.

Detailed description: Postural stability and balance are defined as the body's ability to return the body back to its equilibrium point when exposed to a perturbation. This exploratory project is based on the hypotheses that decreased balance(increased sway as measured by the center of pressure of the body during quiet standing) causes an increased risk of falls and osteopathic manipulative treatment can improve postural balance. To test these ideas, the investigators will investigate the kinematics(study of the way the body moves)of postural balance in two cohorts of healthy elders, those receiving manipulation and those not receiving manipulation. We hypothesize that OMT is effective to increase postural stability, balance.

Specific Aims Aim 1: To measure balance in a cohort of healthy elders(age 65 and over)using a force plate to measure center of pressure in the Anterior/posterior and medial-lateral directions during quiet standing with the eyes open, with the eyes closed and during a Romberg test.

Aim 2: To evaluate the effectiveness of OMT to improve balance in a healthy elderly population. We will observe the progression of improvement in balance in one group who will receive OMT for four weeks compared to the other who will not receive OMT.

Aim 3: To examine any potential impact and efficacy of OMT on cardiac and circulatory responses by measuring blood flow and circulation.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* 65 years ofage and older
* Healthy
* Male and Female

Exclusion Criteria:

* Self report of a condition that could impair balance, such as otoneurologic, musculoskeletal or neurological diseases.
* Under the age of 65

Primary outcomes:
measure: Balance
timeFrame: 30 seconds
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
Study officials:
affiliation: UNTHSC
name: Rita Patterson, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Lopez D, King HH, Knebl JA, Kosmopoulos V, Collins D, Patterson RM. Effects of comprehensive osteopathic manipulative treatment on balance in elderly patients: a pilot study. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2011 Jun;111(6):382-8. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2011.111.6.382.