None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The aims of this study are to assess the effect of osteopathic treatment and breathing re-training on symptoms associated with dysfunctional breathing, exercise economy, and cardiac variables as indices of autonomic nervous system activity. Dysfunctional breathing is thought to entail mechanically inefficient ventilation, and often to come about as a result of chronic psychological stress or anxiety. Therefore, we hypothesise improvements in exercise economy and lowered sympathetic drive following osteopathy treatment and breathing re-training.
Interventions
Osteopathic Manual Therapy + Breathing Re-training
Osteopathic Manual Therapy is provided by qualified, experienced osteopaths. Therapy will entail a semi-structured 30-minute osteopathy treatment administered weekly for 4 weeks. Treatment will consist of a selection of manual techniques applied mainly to the neck, thorax, lower back and abdomen with postural advice if indicated.
For breathing re-training, participants will be instructed through an individually-paced, progressive programme. Fi
Osteopathic Manual Therapy + Breathing Re-training Osteopathic Manual Therapy is provided by qualified, experienced osteopaths. Therapy will entail a semi-structured 30-minute osteopathy treatment administered weekly for 4 weeks. Treatment will consist of a selection of manual techniques applied mainly to the neck, thorax, lower back and abdomen with postural advice if indicated. For breathing re-training, participants will be instructed through an individually-paced, progressive programme. Final year osteopathy students will assess the breathing function of participants at study onset and provide instruction for breathing re-training techniques in a 15-minute session. Participants will be asked to practice these techniques as often as possible, incorporated into their normal daily activities, but at least for 10 minutes, 2x per day for 4 weeks. They will also have access to an online video demonstrating these techniques that they can refer to. Compliance to the breathing retraining will be retrospectively monitored weekly by osteopath practitioners. Practitioners will complete standardised treatment notes for each osteopathy treatment session. Both the structural changes and breathing retraining outcomes will be monitored.
Sponsors
Unitec Institute of Technology
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
19 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
*Participate in aerobic exercise for more than 4 hours per week *Body mass index no less than 18.5 kg/m2 and not greater than 30 kg/m2 *Perceive that breathing may be limiting their sporting performance *Understand written and verbal English *Upon screening, exhibit an SEBQ score of 10 or greater *In a Functional Movement Screen, exhibit a dysfunction in the neck, thoracic or lumbar region
Exclusion criteria
*Current smoker or smoked in last 6 months *Respiratory-related hospitalisations in the last 6 months *Diagnosed emotional disorders *Diagnosed cardiac condition or dysfunction *Diagnosed autonomic nervous system pathology or dysfunction
Outcome results
None listed