Healthy, Osteopathic Manipulation
Conditions
Keywords
EEG, Alpha Rhythm, CV4
Brief summary
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
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.
Interventions
OTHERCV4
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.
OTHERST
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
OTHERSham CV4
the sham intervention was performed by placing the hands in the same position as the corresponding active technique, applying a light touch
OTHERSham ST
The sham intervention was performed by placing the hands in the same position as the corresponding active technique, applying a light touch
Sponsors
Istituto Superiore di Osteopatia di Milano
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha EEG | 50 minutes | Quantitative EEG recording of alpha wave (8-12Hz) |
Countries
Italy
Outcome results
None listed