Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Constipation in People With Rett Syndrome

January 6, 2023 updated by: Meir Lotan, Ariel University

Investigation on the Effects of an Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Constipation in People With Rett Syndrome

Constipation consists of bowel symptoms characterized by difficulty or infrequency passage of stool, stiff stool, or a feeling of incomplete evacuation. However, its impact goes far beyond this definition. Constipation negatively impacts the quality of life (QoL) of children and adults suffering from this condition, affecting mental and physical-related QoL. Additionally, a negative impact of constipation on QoL was found in parents carrying children with constipation, affecting family functioning.

People with an intellectual disability present a constipation rate of over 33%. Rett syndrome (RTT) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder affecting about 1/10,000 females and a few males worldwide. Chronic constipation is persistent in people with RTT, with a reported prevalence higher than 74%.

Specific recommendations for constipation management in RTT were developed, including behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical considerations. Recently, the literature has been enriched with papers describing the osteopathic treatment efficacy in reducing constipation. Emerging literature reported the efficacy of OMT in reducing constipation symptoms and improving QoL in typically developed people, as well as in children with disability. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a specific OMT for managing chronic constipation in people with RTT and its impact on primary caregivers' quality of life.

Research questions:

  • Can an OMT improve the constipation of people with RTT, increasing the frequency of bowel movements?
  • Can the effects of an OMT aimed at reducing the constipation symptoms in people with RTT positively impact the participants' parents' constipation-related QoL?

Twelve individuals with RTT and their families will be recruited to participate in this single-blind parallel group-randomized study. Participants will be randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). After the preliminary evaluations, each participant will undergo eight OMT carried out weekly for eight weeks. The OMT will aim to facilitate bowel movements by increasing blood flow through the abdomen. At the end of the treatment, the participants will repeat the evaluation conducted before the OMT, and the collected data will be analyzed.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

12

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

      • Verona, Italy, 37122
        • Centro AIRETT Ricerca e Innovazione (CARI)
        • Contact:
          • Michela Perina, MSc
          • Phone Number: +39 3317126109
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Rosa Angela Fabio, PhD
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Alberto Romano, MSc
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Meir Lotan, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • diagnosis of classic Rett syndrome with a mutation of the MECP2 gene;
  • matching the ROME IV criteria for constipation;

Exclusion Criteria:

  • the presence of specific severe heart and cardiovascular diseases;
  • the presence of amenorrhea.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Experimental group
Each participant in the experimental group will receive eight weekly osteopathic manipulative treatments within eight weeks. Each treatment session will include several specific manipulations.

Each participant in the experimental group will receive eight osteopathic manipulative treatments. Each treatment will include the following manipulations:

  • Pompage Cv4;
  • Occipital-sternal technique;
  • Relaxining manipulation of the diaphragmatic domes;
  • Pelvic and abdominal diaphragm synchronization;
  • Dynamogenic technique;
  • Mesenteric traction;
  • Release of colic angles;
  • Manipulation and mobilization of the sacrum.
No Intervention: Control Group
Participants in the control group will not receive any treatment.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in number of evacuations
Time Frame: Every day, for one week, immediately before the intervention phase.
The number of participants' evacuations collected daily by participants' caregivers
Every day, for one week, immediately before the intervention phase.
Change in number of evacuations
Time Frame: Every day, during the intervention phase (for 8 weeks).
The number of participants' evacuations collected daily by participants' caregivers
Every day, during the intervention phase (for 8 weeks).
Change in number of evacuations
Time Frame: Every day, for one week, immediately after the end of the intervention phase.
The number of participants' evacuations collected daily by participants' caregivers
Every day, for one week, immediately after the end of the intervention phase.
Change in number of enemas and medications
Time Frame: Every day, for one week, immediately before the intervention phase.
The number of enemas and medication provided to the participants' to simplify or induce the evacuations collected by their caregivers.
Every day, for one week, immediately before the intervention phase.
Change in number of enemas and medications
Time Frame: Every day, during the intervention phase (for 8 weeks).
The number of enemas and medication provided to the participants' to simplify or induce the evacuations collected by their caregivers.
Every day, during the intervention phase (for 8 weeks).
Change in number of enemas and medications
Time Frame: Every day, for one week, immediately after the end of the intervention phase.
The number of enemas and medication provided to the participants' to simplify or induce the evacuations collected by their caregivers.
Every day, for one week, immediately after the end of the intervention phase.
Change in the Modified Constipation Assessment Scale (m-CAS)
Time Frame: 15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
The m-CAS is an eight-item scale that measures whether constipation is present and its intensity. A higher score represents more severe constipation. Cronbach α coefficient showed good internal consistency over time (α>0.70). The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used to evaluate test-retest reliability and showed evident acceptance (r=0.93; P<0.001).
15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
Change in theConstipation Scoring System (CSS)
Time Frame: 15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
The CSS assesses the severity of constipation with a maximum score of 30 (0 = no constipation, 30 = severe constipation. The scale was initially validated with a 100-subject sample and could correctly detect the absence or presence of constipation in 96% of the subjects, thus representing a sensitive and valid tool.
15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
Change in theConstipation-Related Quality Of Life (CRQOL)
Time Frame: 15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
The CRQOL assesses quality-of-life domains affected by constipation. It includes four domains: social impairment, distress, eating habits, and bathroom attitudes. In our study, the primary caregiver filled this scale reporting his feelings concerning the participant's constipation management. The internal consistency of each of the four domains was higher than 0.70 using Cronbach's alpha. Excellent test-retest reliability was demonstrated (α>0.85).
15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
Change in the Short Form Health Survey-12 (SF-12)
Time Frame: 15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
The SF-12 is a multidimensional measure of health-related quality of life widely used in clinical trials. The SF-12 was administered to participants' primary caregivers. The Italian version of the SF-12 was validated on a large sample of Italian people showing strong psychometric proprieties.
15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in the tissue tension
Time Frame: 15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
The pelvic tissue tension was evaluated as an index of hydration and deep fascial tension. For the assessment, the iliac cavity skin was pinched between the index and thumb fingers, and a score between 0 (normal tissue elasticity) and 4 (adherent, rigid skin, tissue detachment not possible) was assigned based on the tissue elasticity.
15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
Change in the abdomen palpability
Time Frame: 15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
It represents an index of abdominal stiffness and refers to the intestinal skein resistance to manual mobilization in the supine position. The right and left colic cords, ileocecal valve, and sigma were mobilized. Based on the perceived tissue consistency and resistance, scores between 0 (soft and treatable abdominal tissue) and 3 (rigid abdomen, tense and painful even in the medium-deep palpation) points were assigned.
15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
Change in the abdominal bloating
Time Frame: 15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
It assesses the presence and extent of intestinal gas. It is helpful to have an approximate idea of the intestinal loops' opening (or closing) level. It was assessed by observing the prominence of the four abdominal quadrants in correspondence with the navel, anterior iliac thorns, and costal ramps. And a score between 0 (flat, compressible abdomen) and 4 (globose abdomen, total compressibility not possible) was assigned.
15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
Change in the sacral pad swelling
Time Frame: 15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).
Its presence can indicate inadequate liquids' reabsorption in the small pelvis by the iliac branches. It is evaluated in the supine position by manual pressure examination of the sacral base. Based on the sacral area swelling, a score between 0 (normally distended sacral area) and 3 (large swelling with lumbar-sacral area tissue inhibition).
15 minutes. Before the treatment initiation (T0) and after the treatment end (T1 - after 8 weeks from T0).

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Rosa Angela Fabio, PhD, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Anticipated)

January 16, 2023

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

March 27, 2023

Study Completion (Anticipated)

March 27, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 30, 2022

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 6, 2023

First Posted (Actual)

January 18, 2023

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

January 18, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 6, 2023

Last Verified

January 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Yes

IPD Plan Description

The investigators plan to share the anonymized IPD related to participants' age, and levels of Rett syndrome severity, motor functioning, and daily physical activity. The information will be published as a part of the scientific articles produced after the study ends.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

The IPD will be available if and when scientific articles related to this study are published. Should the data be published, they will be available indefinitely in the scientific literature.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

The investigators plan to submit scientific articles related to the present study to be published in an open access peer-review scientific journal. Therefore, if the articles are published, the data will be available on the website of the journal in which they were published.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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