Preliminary Evaluation of an Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) to Prevent Motion Sickness Symptoms

Preliminary Evaluation of an Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) to Prevent Motion Sickness Symptoms

Preliminary Evaluation of an Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) to Prevent Motion Sickness Symptoms

Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Aviation Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence

Motion sickness directly impacts the readiness of the Army's aviation units. Severe motion sickness results in the dismissal of pilot and air crew candidates during initial training, while minor to moderate symptoms can be distracting during flight. The current medications on the market that target motion sickness symptoms are prohibited for use before flight. Osteopathic Manipulative Techniques are a low to no cost option, which lacks side effects, that allows Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine flight surgeons the opportunity to treat crew members without the use of pharmaceuticals. If effective, these techniques could be used to ensure aircrew readiness. Given the paucity of research on such a technique, a small, pilot study was conducted to demonstrate potential for such an approach.

Between subjects design with two groups: sham and experimental (osteopathic manipulative treatment [OMT])

Participants received treatment in private room. Study team and participants were blind to group (treatment received). Only the treatment administrator knew which treatment each participant received and was excluded from the remainder of the protocol.

The sham maneuver treatment addressed soft tissue tension, restriction of motion, and tenderness of the lower thoracic and lumbar regions.

The sham maneuver treatment addressed soft tissue tension, restriction of motion, and tenderness of the cervical region (targeted anatomical structures).

Targeted anatomical structures are Scalene Muscles (Anterior/Middle/Posterior), Sternocleidomastoid Muscles (SCM), Suboccipital region, Cervical Paraspinal Muscles, Levator Scapulae Muscles, Upper Thoracic Paraspinal Muscles, Upper Trapezius Muscles, Atlanto-occipital (OA), Atlanto-axial (AA), C2-C7 vertebrae, T1-T4 vertebrae, Rib 1 bilaterally. Techniques include Suboccipital Myofascial Release, Soft tissue inhibition, kneading stretching, Facilitated Positional Release, and muscle energy technique.

Targeted anatomical structures are Thoracic Paraspinal Muscles, Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles, Lower Trapezius Muscles, Sacrum, Supraspinatus, T5-T12, and Rib 2-12. Techniques include Soft tissue inhibition, Stretching, Kneading, counterstrain, Facilitated Positional Release, and muscle energy technique. L1-L5

Change in Motion sickness assessment questionnaire: gastrointestinal subscore from pre- to post-procedure

The Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of the four dimensions of motion sickness: gastrointestinal, central, peripheral, and sopite-related (Gianaros, et al., 2001). It includes 16 items and response format is a likert scale (1 to 9). The difference in scores from pre- to post-procedure were calculated.

The Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of the four dimensions of motion sickness: gastrointestinal, central, peripheral, and sopite-related (Gianaros, et al., 2001). It includes 16 items and response format is a likert scale (1 to 9). The difference in scores from pre- to post-procedure were calculated.

The Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of the four dimensions of motion sickness: gastrointestinal, central, peripheral, and sopite-related (Gianaros, et al., 2001). It includes 16 items and response format is a likert scale (1 to 9). The difference in scores from pre- to post-procedure were calculated.

Change in Motion sickness assessment questionnaire: sopite-related subscore from pre- to post-procedure

The Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of the four dimensions of motion sickness: gastrointestinal, central, peripheral, and sopite-related (Gianaros, et al., 2001). It includes 16 items and response format is a likert scale (1 to 9). The difference in scores from pre- to post-procedure were calculated.

The Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire is a valid and reliable measure of the four dimensions of motion sickness: gastrointestinal, central, peripheral, and sopite-related (Gianaros, et al., 2001). It includes 16 items and response format is a likert scale (1 to 9). The difference in scores from pre- to post-procedure were calculated.

Heart rate was aggregated in 30-second intervals. Coefficients of variance were then calculated across the twenty 30-second intervals per participant.

Inclusion Criteria: Must have normal hearing, vision or corrected to normal vision, and cognitive function as determined by self-report and review on demographics and personal history questionnaire. Must have obtained at minimum 6 hours of sleep prior to data collection, as assessed by self-report. Must have refrained from consumption of alcohol and Medications that impact motion sickness symptoms for a minimum of 16 hours prior to each test session, assessed by self-report. Exclusion Criteria: Must not be currently taking any medications that may affect the vestibular system as assessed by self-report and at the discretion of the study physician. Must not have a history of vestibular disorders as assessed by self-report.