~45 spots leftby Jan 2026

Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy for Respiratory Diseases

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Overseen byMargaret Moore, DO
Age: 65+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Geisinger Clinic
Disqualifiers: Healing fracture, Cancer treatment, Liver disease
No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?This study is to see Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy, or OMT, can aid in treating patients being seen for respiratory illness and associated symptoms. The hypothesis is that the addition of OMT therapy, alongside other standard care (such as a medication), can help lessen patient symptoms sooner than just other treatment alone, and the duration of the condition will shorten as well.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It mentions that Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy will be added alongside other standard care, which may include medication.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy for respiratory diseases?

Research shows that Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) can improve outcomes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), such as better lung function and quality of life, when combined with traditional treatments. Additionally, OMT has been found to help with other conditions like pneumonia and recovery after surgery, suggesting it may be beneficial for various respiratory issues.

12345
Is osteopathic manipulative therapy generally safe for humans?

Osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) is a popular treatment, but the safety data is not well-defined, and there is no clear benchmark for patient safety. Some studies have looked into adverse events (unwanted effects), but more research is needed to understand how often and how severe these events are.

25678
How is osteopathic manipulative therapy different from other treatments for respiratory diseases?

Osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMT) is unique because it involves hands-on techniques to improve respiratory function by addressing physical dysfunctions in the body, such as those in the spine and ribcage, rather than relying solely on medications. This approach aims to enhance breathing mechanics and overall respiratory health, offering a complementary option to traditional drug treatments.

245910

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for patients recently diagnosed with respiratory illnesses like bronchitis, sinus infections, and pneumonia. It's open to those who are receiving standard care for these conditions but have not yet tried Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT).

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 65 and 100 years old.
Patients being seen for respiratory illness symptoms at Geisinger 65-Forward Buckhorn, PA clinic for care
I was recently diagnosed with an upper respiratory illness, sinusitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia.

Exclusion Criteria

I have or had liver disease.
I am currently healing from a bone fracture.
I am currently undergoing cancer treatment.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive standard care with or without lymphatic pump OMT therapy for respiratory illness

5 days
2 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for symptom severity and duration after treatment

1 year
Electronic survey on day of diagnosis and 5 days later

Participant Groups

The study tests if adding OMT to usual care improves recovery in respiratory illness patients. The goal is to see if symptoms resolve faster and the overall sickness duration decreases compared to standard treatment alone.
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: TreatmentExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Patients will receive lymphatic pump OMT therapy in addition to other standard care (similar to the control patients, this would be a medication, follow-up instructions, etc.)
Group II: ControlActive Control1 Intervention
Patients in the control group will receive normal standard care, including any prescriptions, follow-up instructions, etc., as given by the provider to help treat their condition.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Geisinger 65-Forward, BuckhornBloomsburg, PA
Loading ...

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Geisinger ClinicLead Sponsor

References

The immediate effect of individual manipulation techniques on pulmonary function measures in persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [2022]The use of manipulation has long been advocated in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but few randomized controlled clinical trials have measured the effect of manipulation on pulmonary function. In addition, the effects of individual manipulative techniques on the pulmonary system are poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of four osteopathic techniques on pulmonary function measures in persons with COPD relative to a minimal-touch control protocol.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment effectiveness in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a pilot study. [2012]Few and contrastingly data are available about use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Consultations for Hospitalized Patients. [2022]Although osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is predominantly known for its benefits in improving musculoskeletal pain, many studies have examined the effects of OMT on hospitalized patients with a variety of conditions, showing improved outcomes in conditions such as pneumonia, postoperative and postpartum recovery, preterm newborn recovery, and newborn feeding dysfunction.
Efficacy of osteopathic treatment in patients with stable moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled pilot study. [2020]Background This randomized controlled pilot study evaluated the efficacy of osteopathic treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessed using spirometry, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and six minutes walking test (6MWT). The main goals were to improve the quality of life of patients with stable moderate-to-severe COPD, and to revise the parameters of the assessment tests, such as spirometry and 6MWT. Methods The study comprised several phases and patients were divided into two groups: group A (controls) received conventional pharmacological treatment with Indacaterol-Glycopyrronium and, while group B (OMT group) received both traditional therapy and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) at different stages of the study. The osteopathic approach focused on maxillary sinus, vertebral-pleural ligaments, phrenic nerves, ribs, pleura, lungs, bronchi, subclavian muscles, and trapezoid and conoid ligaments. Results Overall, 32 patients were randomized and treated. Patients of the OMT group got better improvements in all tests compared to the control group: spirometry: FVC (p
Immediate effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [2022]Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has long been advocated for patients with respiratory disorders, but little definitive evidence exists to support its use in this population.
Defining the landscape of patient harm after osteopathic manipulative treatment: synthesis of an adverse event model. [2023]In the United States, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), is a popular complementary physical health approach for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. However, post-OMT adverse events (AEs) are poorly defined in terms of frequency, severity, and temporal evolution. To date, no benchmark for patient safety exists. To improve understanding in this field, we set out to model the landscape of patient harm after OMT.
Characterizing Adverse Events Reported Immediately After Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. [2022]Although adverse events in various types of manual therapy have been previously investigated, little is known about the incidence and types of adverse events that occur after osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
Efficacy and safety of osteopathic manipulative treatment: an overview of systematic reviews. [2022]To summarise the available clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for different conditions.
Short-term effect of osteopathic manual techniques (OMT) on respiratory function in healthy individuals. [2020]Respiratory system diseases are some of the most common pathologies worldwide. Although osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) is used predominantly to treat other pathologies, certain OMT techniques have been shown to improve patients' respiratory function.
10.United Statespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Osteopathic philosophy and emergent treatment in acute respiratory failure. [2004]Osteopathic manipulation has been used to treat a wide range of diseases in largely outpatient settings. The authors describe the emergent use of osteopathic manipulative treatment to improve respiratory mechanics in a critically ill patient with acute respiratory failure. High-velocity mobilization of cervical and thoracic dysfunctions resulted in a decreased work of breathing, improved arterial oxygenation, resolution of tachycardia, and an overall improvement in the patient's clinical condition.