The Immediate, Intermediate, and Long-Term Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Pulmonary Function in Adults with Asthma

Abstract

Abstract Context Asthma is a common chronic obstructive lung disease with increasing prevalence and economic burden. The effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been studied in patients with several lung diseases, including asthma; however, no clinical trials have studied effects beyond the immediate time period in adults with asthma using spirometry. Objective To examine the immediate, intermediate, and long-term effects of OMT on objective pulmonary function and subjective quality of life in asthmatic adults. Methods Twenty-five adults with asthma were recruited from the Des Moines University community. Standardized Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ(S)) surveys and spirometry measures including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), the FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were collected at baseline. Spirometry testing was performed immediately after and 3 days after each of 3 weekly standardized OMT sessions. Spirometry and AQLQ(S) surveys were collected again 4 weeks after the final OMT session. Spirometry results were analyzed using a repeated measure, linear mixed-effect model, and survey results were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results The study demonstrated statistically significant changes to the spirometry results, including the PEF and FEV1/FVC ratio. The PEF measurements increased 3 days after the first treatment and remained elevated through the completion of the study. The FEV1/FVC ratio decreased by 0.01 at 4 weeks post-OMT compared to baseline. There were no significant differences observed in the immediate, intermediate or long-term FEV1 and FVC measurements post-OMT. However, there was a significant increase in the overall score and all 4 domains of the AQLQ(S), including Symptoms, Activity Limitations, Emotional Function, and Environmental Stimuli. Conclusion The results of this pilot study suggest that OMT may improve the quality of life in adults with asthma. Spirometry testing revealed a significant change in some measures of pulmonary function and participants reported an improvement in asthma-specific quality of life. The authors suggest that, in combination with preventive measures and pharmacologic therapy, OMT may offer additional benefit in the treatment of adults with asthma. The results also suggest a need for further study of the effects of OMT on respiratory function in asthmatic adults.