Osteopathic manipulation as a complementary approach to Parkinson's disease: A controlled pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) is a therapy of manual forces that is directed to improve function and homeostasis. It has been shown to improve balance in individuals with dizziness, and improve gait in Parkinson's disease (PD). This study was designed to determine if our pre-defined OMM protocol would improve motor function and balance in individuals with PD.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial to test OMM on balance and motor function in PD measured by the Mini-BESTest, Sensory Organization Test (SOT), and MDS-UPDRS. 11 Subjects (age 75±16) were randomly assigned to either bi-weekly OMM treatments first for 6 weeks or weekly counseling sessions from a medical provider for 6 weeks as a placebo-control. 9 subjects completed this study.


RESULTS
There were no significant changes in SOT or Mini BESTest in either group (p < 0.05). There was significant improvement in the OMM group for MDS-UPDRS.


CONCLUSIONS
Our pilot data showed OMM treatment bi-weekly for 6 weeks improved motor function. There were no significant changes in balance, however there were clinically relevant improvements after 6 weeks of OMM. Using a predefined protocol, OMM may be a complementary approach to improving balance and motor function in individuals with PD.
Department of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology (NYITCOM), Old Westbury, NY, USA.
Joanne
J
DiFrancisco-Donoghue
College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Old Westbury, NY, USA.
Theresa
T
Apoznanski
College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), Old Westbury, NY, USA.
Kristen
K
de Vries
Department of Research, NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA.
Min-Kyung
MK
Jung
Department of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology (NYITCOM), Old Westbury, NY, USA.
Jayme
J
Mancini
Department of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology (NYITCOM), Old Westbury, NY, USA.
Sheldon
S
Yao
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026301:Manipulation, Osteopathic / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Osteopathic medicine; Parkinson’s disease; balance; manual manipulation; motor function