Somatic dysfunction and effect of OMT on pulmonary function in healthy adult male subjects (871.7)

Abstract

The effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on pulmonary function have been equivocal. Our long‐term goal is to design hypothesis driven research to determine the efficacy of OMT. We hypothesize that treatment of somatic dysfunction with OMT will increase chest compliance and vital capacity. IRB approval was obtained and healthy adult males were randomly divided into a control group (n=17) or OMT group (n=20). Pulmonary function was measured at baseline, ~10min post‐OMT or quiet reading (control), and repeated at 24hrs. Somatic dysfunction was assessed and treated with OMT. There were no statistical differences between the control and OMT groups at baseline, or changes in pulmonary function in controls acutely or 24hrs. Of the OMT group, 75% of the subjects had somatic dysfunction in the C2‐C7, T5‐T9, ribs, and L1‐L5 regions. After OMT, upper thoracic excursion increased from 5.7±0.5 to 6.3±0.5cm (p = 0.03), and forced vital capacity (FVC) increased from 5.13±0.20 to 5.24±0.19L (p = 0.02) at 24hrs. Of note, OMT treatment of subjects with rib dysfunction significantly improved FVC at 24hrs (p = 0.02). Our data demonstrate significant somatic dysfunction in otherwise healthy adult males and suggest OMT can increase upper thoracic excursion and lung volumes. These data support the possibility that OMT can improve pulmonary function in patients with extrinsic restrictive lung disease.Grant Funding Source: Supported by: AHA 10SDG2640219