RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES

ASTHMA

Wheatley AL , Gosling CM , and Gibbons PF
Investigation of the effects of using a rib raising technique on FEV1 and FVC outcomes in people with asthma: a clinical investigation. The Journal of Osteopathic Medicine: The Official Publication of the American College of General Practitioners in Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery / ACGP 2000 Oct;3(2):60-4

A comparative study investigating the effects of OMT on ventilatory function between a group of 8 asthmatic and 8 non-asthmatic, non-smoking volunteers. Pre and post- intervention measures were recorded for both groups. The OMT treatment produced a change in expiratory respiration of 15.8% for the asthma group and 3.8% for the control group and a change in air capacity of 17.5% and 5.7%, respectively.

Jackson KM and Steele KM
Osteopathic treatment of asthma: a literature review and call for research [see comments]
The AAO Journal: A Publication of the American Academy of Osteopathy 1999 Win: 9(4):23-27

Currently there is no cure for asthma, pharmacological therapy allows for some relief but is far from a cure. Furthermore, side effects from drug therapy and its inability to return the patient to normal health further stress the importance for OMT, which allows for a marked reduction in medication need and use, and in the frequency of acute attacks. Unlike pharmacotherapy, OMT is safe with minimal side effects.

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EMPHYSEMA

Noll DR , Degenhardt BF , Johnson JC , and Burt SA
The immediate effect of OMT on pulmonary function parameters in obstructive pulmonary disease. JAOA: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 2002 Aug;102(8):442

35 subjects with COPD, age 60 and older were recruited. 18 were randomized to receive OMT and 17 to receive a sham treatment. Pulmonary function testing was done before and after each treatment session. The OMT treated group showed improvement in every pulmonary function test.

(Thanks to Dr. Freida Butler - http://www.gmu.edu/departments/gerontology/agenet/news00may3e.htm for allowing me use of their graphic)

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PNEUMONIA

Noll DR , Shores JH , Gamber RG , Herron KM , and Swift J Jr
Benefits of osteopathic manipulative treatment for hospitalized elderly patients with pneumonia. JAOA: The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 2000 Dec;100(12):776-82

Elderly patients hospitalized with acute pneumonia were recruited and randomly placed into two groups: 28 in the treatment group and 30 in the control group. The treatment group received a standardized OMT protocol, while the control group received a light touch protocol. The treatment group had a significantly shorter duration of intravenous antibiotic treatment and a shorter hospital stay.