Asthma
Conditions
Keywords
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, Lung inflammation, Improved breathing
Brief summary
Asthma is a common respiratory condition that can be difficult to control despite the use of medications such as inhalers, oral steroids or even injectable medications. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a hands-on technique used to improve the chest structure and function and may help in improving breathing. Previous research showed that OMT in asthma patients, can improve the movement of the ribs and improve the peak flow which is the maximum rate at which a person can exhale air after taking a deep breath. However, no studies have evaluated the impact of OMT on lung inflammation. This single-site research study at University Hospitals aims to evaluate whether Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) can reduce lung inflammation and improve breathing and lung function in adult patients with asthma. The lung function will be evaluated by Spirometry which is a test that measures how much air you can breathe in and out of your lungs, as well as how quickly and easily you can exhale air. The lung inflammation will be measured using a device that can detect how much you are breathing out Nitric Oxide which is a gas produced by inflamed cells in the lungs, this test is called: Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide or FeNO. Approximately 100 participants will be enrolled.
Interventions
PROCEDUREOMT
Patients in the treatment group will undergo OMT using sub-occipital release, rib raising, doming the diaphragm, thoracic inlet release and myofascial techniques.
OTHERLight touch
Patients in the control group will undergo light touch in similar locations to OMT.
Sponsors
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Male and female patients in Allergy and Immunology Associates clinic diagnosed with asthma ages 18-60 years old with an elevated FENO
Exclusion criteria
* Use of oral steroids within the last 4 weeks * Use of biologic medications * Diagnosis of pregnancy, osteoporosis, congestive heart failure, renal failure, cirrhosis, or cancer * Inability to lay recumbent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in Fractionated Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) values as measured by NIOX FeNO device | Baseline, after OMT treatment (up to 30 minutes), day 10 |
| Change in Peak Expiratory Flow values as measured by EasyOne Air Spirometer device | Baseline, after OMT treatment (up to 30 minutes), day 10 |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Ease of breathing as measured by Post-OMT Questionnaire | Baseline and day 10 | The post\_OMT Questionnaire scores ease of breathing on a Likert scale of 1-0 with 1 being difficult to breathe and 10 being easy to breath |
| Change in Rib Cage mobility as measured by Post-OMT Questionnaire | Baseline and day 10 | The post\_OMT Questionnaire scores Rib Cage mobility on a Likert scale of 1-0 with 1 being stiff and 10 being mobile |
| Change in chest tightness as measured by Post-OMT Questionnaire | Baseline and day 10 | The post\_OMT Questionnaire scores chest tightness on a Likert scale of 1-0 with 1 being tight and 10 being loose |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactRemie Saab, MD
Outcome results
None listed