Effect of OMT on Asthma Symptoms in Southwest Virginia

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Asthma
• Interventions: Other: Education to physicians; Procedure: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - in clinic; Procedure: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - at home

• Registration Number: NCT00545376
• Lead Sponsor: Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2007-10
• Study First Submitted: 2007-10-16
• Study First Submitted QC: 2007-10-16
• Study First Posted: 2007-10-17
• Primary Completion: 2008-01
• Study Completion: 2008-02
• Status Verified: 2019-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2019-07-18
• Last Update Posted: 2019-07-22

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 32

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
2	Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - at home	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.
3	Education to physicians	This arm is the physicians that I will recruit participants through. They will be exposed to education about the use of OMT for asthma.
2	Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment - in clinic	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.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mini-AQLQ	2 weeks
thoracic excursion	pre and post OMT and follow up
spirometry	pre and post OMT and follow up
patient symptoms	pre and post OMT and follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
physician acceptance survey	pre and post study

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

VCOM; 🇺🇸 Blacksburg, Virginia, United States