Effects of Osteopathic Treatment on Postural Equilibrium Evaluated through a Stabilometric Platform: A Randomized and Controlled Study

Andrea Buscemi,Paolo Lutrario,Marinella Coco,Giulia Di Gregorio,Alessandro Rapisarda,Marcello Cannatella

doi:10.3390/jfmk2020018

Andrea Buscemi, Paolo Lutrario + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk2020018

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Abstract

Equilibrium is a very complex function and involves many systems, including the somatic-sensory, vestibular and visual systems. The condition of balance is maintained until the gravity center falls into the perimeter of support, defined as the ground level of the support base. Equilibrium loss is at the root of the risk of falling down, and represents a public health issue associated with remarkable costs for hospitalization, risk of residual disability and death for the elderly. Osteopathy can be a good ally that allows the human body to oppose gravitational force in a functional and ergonomic way. Osteopathy represents a medical approach complementary to healthcare and could be a non-invasive approach to improve and support traditional medicine in different physiological and pathological conditions. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cause-effect relationship between Manipulative Osteopathic Treatment (OMT) and its effects on equilibrium through stabilometric examinations. The 63 chosen subjects, including 23 females and 40 males, were between 18 and 45 years old, with a mean age of 29. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Manipulative Osteopathic Treatment (OMT) and Non Touch group (NON TOUCH). We can confirm that the tonic-postural response was more marked in the OMT group, with a statistic relevance both for the ellipse surface and the tangle length, with better stability and consequent energy saving in treated subjects. There were not statistically relevant variations for the NON TOUCH group. Therefore, it seems that Manipulative Osteopathic Treatment (OMT) influences stabilometry. However, posture influence due to Manipulative Osteopathic Treatment (OMT) should be evaluated with short- and long-term follow-ups, and with a larger sample size to test the administration of osteopathic treatments, in order to define an adequate work plan time period to prevent equilibrium loss.

Highlights

Equilibrium is a term that refers to an optimal condition in which a subject assumes a posture or a series of postures that are ideal for the adaptation to the ambiant situation he finds himself in at a precise moment
Equilibrium loss is at the base of the risk of falling down, which represents a public health issue associated with remarkable costs for hospitalization, risk of residual disability and death for the elderly
The aim of this study is to evaluate the cause-effect relationship between Manual Osteopathic Treatment (OMT) [1] and its effects on equilibrium analyzed through stabilometric examinations

Summary

Introduction

Equilibrium is a term that refers to an optimal condition in which a subject assumes a posture or a series of postures that are ideal for the adaptation to the ambiant situation he finds himself in at a precise moment. Equilibrium is a very complex function and involves many systems, including the somatic-sensory, vestibular and visual systems [1]. Every one of these systems has proprioceptive and exteroceptive receptors; every component interacts amongst themselves with tonic-postural activity [2]. Equilibrium can be “static” in the absence of voluntary movements, or “dynamic” if it concerns a motor situation. The condition of balance is maintained until the gravity center falls into the perimeter of support, defined as the ground level of the support base. Outside the border of the perimeter of support, static attitudes are no longer possible; instead, movement is necessary to further enlarge the support base or to modify the projection of the center of gravity

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