Comparing the Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) Versus Counseling in the Treatment of Concussion
Post-Concussion Symptoms, Distorted; Balance
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Post-Concussion Symptoms
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Subject is at least 18 years age
- Subject has suffered from non-life threatening head trauma head trauma resulting in current concussion-related symptoms
- Subject is evaluated and diagnosed with a concussion
- Subject has been cleared to participate in the study by the physician/neurologist having excluded any potential emergent conditions
Exclusion Criteria:
- The subject has no absolute contraindications to osteopathic manipulative treatment, such as skull fracture, cervical fracture, signs of intracranial bleeding, cervical dissection, or stroke
The subject suffered from any of the following at the time of event leading to concussion:
- Loss of consciousness >2 minutes in the field
- Seizures
- Intractable vomiting
- Paralysis
- The subject has been diagnosed with an underlying neurodegenerative condition that may confound test results (e.g.. Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease)
- The subject has a current or previous spinal cord injury
- The subject is unable to complete the assessment tools
- The subject is pregnant
Sites / Locations
- Academic Helath Care Center - Sports Medicine Center
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
Counseling
A board certified NMM/OMM or FP/OMM physician will perform an osteopathic structural exam and osteopathic treatment for a 30 minute session. The investigators will follow a generalized protocol for diagnosis and treatment of the head, neck, spine, rib cage, and pelvis. The following techniques will be included in the treatment protocol, OA (Occipitoatlantal) decompression, V-Spread, venous sinus drainage, balanced membranous tension (BMT), cranial lifts, CV4, and a mix of balanced ligamentous tension (BLT), muscle energy techniques, facilitated positional release, articulatory techniques (ART), high-velocity low-amplitude, and counterstrain to address any somatic dysfunctions.
For the control group, an investigator will complete a 30-minute counseling session with the subject. The focus of discussion will be from the CDC's "What to expect after a concussion" article. Other resources that will also be used come from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), FamilyDoctor.org, and the Brain Care Center. Each counseling session will follow the same protocol. The counseling session will provide subject with similar face-to-face time with the OMT arm.