Volume 113, Issue 5

Context: Several studies have investigated the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operations; however, there is little information regarding the effect of OMT in the postoperative recovery of patients undergoing CABG operations. Methods: Patients scheduled to undergo a CABG operation were voluntarily enrolled and randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 treatment protocols after their surgical procedure: standardized daily OMT and conventional postoperative care (the OMT group), daily time-matched placebo OMT and conventional postoperative care (the placebo group), or conventional postoperative care only (the control group). Specific OMT techniques used were thoracic inlet myofascial release, standard rib raising (with paraspinal muscle stretch to the L2 vertebral level), and soft tissue cervical paraspinal muscle stretch (with suboccipital muscle release). Primary outcome measures included time to discharge, time to postoperative bowel movement, and FIM functional assessment scores. Results: Fifty-three patients completed the study protocol: 17 in the OMT group, 18 in the placebo group, and 18 in the control group. After surgical procedures, patients were discharged to home at a mean (standard deviation [SD]) rate of 6.1 (1.4), 6.3 (1.5), and 6.7 (3.0) days for the OMT group, placebo group, and control group, respectively. Patients in the OMT group were discharged 0.55 days earlier than those in the control group and 0.16 days earlier than those in the placebo group. The mean (SD) number of days to first postoperative bowel movement was 3.5 (0.9), 4.0 (0.8), and 4.0 (0.9) for the OMT group, the placebo group, and the control group, respectively. On day 3 after surgery, the mean (SD) total score on the FIM was 19.3 (6.7), 15.4 (7.3), and 18.6 (6.5) for the OMT, the placebo, and the control group, respectively; total score for the OMT group was 0.81 greater than that of the control group and 3.87 greater than that of the placebo group. None of the differences achieved statistical significance ( P <.05) Conclusion: A daily postoperative OMT protocol improved functional recovery of patients who underwent a CABG operation.

Context: Dizziness is the third most common complaint among outpatients and the most common complaint in patients aged 75 years or older. It can be incapacitating for patients, affecting both productivity and quality of life. Objective: To evaluate the effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for spinal somatic dysfunction in patients with dizziness lasting longer than 3 months. Design: A prospective clinical cohort study that took place in 2011. Setting: Department of Physical Therapy laboratory at the Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pomona, California. Patients: Sixteen participants (2 male, 14 female; mean [range] age, 49 [13-75] years) with dizziness lasting at least 3 months (mean duration of symptoms, 84 months) and spinal somatic dysfunction, but no history of known stroke or brain disease, were recruited from the local community and evaluated for postural balance control before, immediately after, and 1 week after OMT. Intervention: Four osteopathic physicians board certified in neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine provided OMT, including muscle energy; high-velocity, low-amplitude; counterstrain; myofascial release; balanced ligamentous release; and cranial OMT techniques. Main Outcome Measures: Outcomes were assessed with the SMART Balance Master (NeuroCom), a validated instrument that provides graphic and quantitative analyses of sway and balance, and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), a self-assessment inventory designed to assess precipitating physical factors associated with dizziness and functional and emotional consequences of vestibular disease. Results: Paired t tests, performed to assess changes in mean composite scores for all challenge tests, revealed that balance was significantly improved both immediately and 1 week after OMT (both P <.001), with no significant difference between immediate and 1-week post-OMT scores ( P =.20). The DHI scores, both total and subscale, improved significantly after OMT ( P <.001), and changes in composite and DHI scores were correlated with each other ( P =.047). Conclusion: Osteopathic manipulative treatment for spinal somatic dysfunction improved balance in patients with dizziness lasting at least 3 months.

The estimated prevalence of gastritis in the general US population is approximately 50%. Patients with gastrointestinal disease often present to the primary care practitioner with dyspepsia and abdominal pain. Osteopathic palpatory evaluation suggests that there is an association among gastrointestinal disease, the presence of posterior midthoracic pain, and chronic headache. On the basis of findings from a review of the literature, the author assesses the potential etiologic mechanisms of this clinical association. Possible mechanisms include the physiologic function of the vagus nerve, a neural convergence model, and the inherent properties of Helicobacter pylori . To demonstrate the clinical significance of these mechanisms, the author presents the case of a 30-year-old woman with headache, thoracic discomfort, and gastritis associated with H pylori infection. The author suggests that successful treatment of patients with gastrointestinal disease includes osteopathic manipulative treatment, behavioral modification, and pharmacotherapy, even when challenged by antibiotic resistance.

Metastatic brain tumors affect more than 150,000 patients annually in the United States. The therapeutic paradigms for these tumors have evolved over the years and currently encompass numerous modalities implemented by treating physicians across several medical disciplines. The armamentarium of brain tumor treatment involves neurosurgical intervention, whole-brain and focused radiation modalities, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Patient selection, however, remains critical to achieve maximal therapeutic benefit and depends on functional status, number and location of lesions, and tissue histologic findings. Best outcomes can be expected with a multidisciplinary approach to patient care where state-of-the-art treatment options are readily available.