Effects of OA Decompression on the Autonomic Nervous System

Effects of OA Decompression on Activity of the Autonomic Nervous System

This study was designed to determine whether a simple manipulative technique of relaxing the tissues of the occipito-atlantal junction in the neck had any effect on the activity of the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous system. Subjects were dark adapted then measures of pupillary activity, reflecting autonomic nervous system activity were taken before and after treatment. The study hypothesis was that thet treatment technique would have no effect on the pupillary measures, hence indicating no effect on autonomic system activity.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Muscle Tension
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: OA decompression manipulation

Detailed Description

This study was a within subjects/crossover design in which each subject received the treatment and served as his/her own control. 100 subjects were recruited from the student/staff population of the university, were 18 y/o or older with no condition affecting pupillary activity. Pupillary activity was measured with a PLR100 pupillometer and included pupillary diameter, pupillary response latency, maximum constriction velocity and maximum redilation velocity. Subjects were adapted to a dim light environment, measures taken, treatment given at either third or fourth time period and measures retaken. The study was approved by the NSU IRB. Subject numbers were sufficient to have statistical power to find an effect. The study found an effect of treatment on maximum size, showing a decrease with treatment.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Florida
    • Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, United States, 33328
      • College of Osteopathic Med, Nova Southeastern Univ

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 y/o
• Normal accommodation and pupillary response
• Willing to undergo osteopathic manipulation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active ocular or systemic disease
• Neurologic disease that would alter pupillary response
• Chronic pain syndromes of head or neck
• Pregnant
• Brain injury
• Taking medications that would alter autonomic tone

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Single

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
pupillary diameter
pupillary latency
pupillary constriction velocity
pupillary redilation velocity

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Nova Southeastern University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Chris Piromalli, MSIII, College of Osteo Med, Nova Southeastern Univ

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: April 1, 2005
• Study Completion: May 1, 2005

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 22, 2006
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 24, 2006
• First Posted (Estimate): November 27, 2006

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): February 25, 2010
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 24, 2010
• Last Verified: February 1, 2010

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: autonomic nervous system; osteopathic manipulation
• Other Study ID Numbers: OAdecompress1