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Hendryx JT, Kannan A, Prashad J, Falk K. Connecting the dots: alterations in bioelectric activity at acupuncture Ting (Jing-Well) points following CV4 cranial manipulation. J Osteopath Med 2023; 123:151-158. [PMID: 36475425 DOI: 10.1515/jom-2022-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The mechanisms by which osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine (OCMM) promotes health and healing have yet to be fully elucidated. One commonly utilized OCMM technique, compression of the fourth ventricle (CV4), has been theorized to balance autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. There is growing evidence that the ANS also plays a significant mechanistic role in acupuncture. Potential connections between OCMM and acupuncture meridian theory largely remain unknown. OBJECTIVES By measuring specific electrical parameters at acupuncture points that have been shown to correlate with ANS activity, the objectives of this study were to: 1) determine if CV4 has any influence on the bioelectric properties of the acupuncture meridian system; and 2) determine if CV4 affects the ANS. METHODS A total of 77 males and females ages 18-78 years, all volunteers recruited by local flyers and personal or phone contact, were randomized into CV4 (n=40) and Sham (n=37) groups. All CV4 participants were treated by the same physician utilizing standard CV4 protocol. The Sham treatment, performed by a different physician, consisted of the supine participant's occiput resting passively on the physician's finger pads for a similar duration as those in the CV4 group. Among several devices developed to assess ANS activity at acupuncture points, evidence suggests that the Apparatus for Meridian Identification (AMI) is the most accurate and valid. Utilizing the AMI, bioelectric skin parameters were measured immediately before and after CV4 or Sham treatments. Student's or Welch's t tests and Wilcoxon tests were utilized for analysis of normally and non-normally distributed data, respectively. RESULTS Statistical significance was determined with a p value less than 0.05. Sham treatments showed insignificant (p=0.754) before vs. after differences in ANS activity measured at acupuncture points, whereas CV4 treatment significantly (p=0.00015) affected ANS activity. CONCLUSIONS This research suggests that CV4 has demonstrable biophysical effects on the acupuncture meridian system occurring via the ANS, and that the underlying mechanisms of OCMM and acupuncture may be related. Further studies are needed to clarify this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan T Hendryx
- Clinical Professor of Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) and OPP Course Director, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, USA
| | | | - Jessica Prashad
- Osteopathic Medical Student, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, USA
| | - Karl Falk
- Clinical Professor of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA, USA
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Dickerson M, Murphy S, Hyppolite N, Brolinson PG, VandeVord P. Osteopathy in the Cranial Field as a Method to Enhance Brain Injury Recovery: A Preliminary Study. Neurotrauma Rep 2022; 3:456-472. [PMCID: PMC9622209 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2022.0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Dickerson
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Susan Murphy
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | - Natalie Hyppolite
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Pamela VandeVord
- Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
- Salem VA Medical Center, Salem, Virginia, USA
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Roberts A, Harris K, Outen B, Bukvic A, Smith B, Schultz A, Bergman S, Mondal D. Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: A Brief Review of the Hands-On Treatment Approaches and Their Therapeutic Uses. MEDICINES 2022; 9:medicines9050033. [PMID: 35622072 PMCID: PMC9143587 DOI: 10.3390/medicines9050033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is an emerging practice in the healthcare field with increasing popularity and evidence-based therapy. Osteopathic manipulative treatments (OMT) include hands-on manipulations of different body structures to increase systemic homeostasis and total patient well-being. Indeed, this new realm of the whole patient-based approach is being taught in osteopathic schools around the country, and the osteopathic principles of a mind-body-spirit-based treatment are being instilled in many new Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) students. However, despite their proven therapeutic value, there are still many individuals, both in and outside the medical profession, who are unaware (or misinformed) of the therapeutic uses and potential benefits of OMT. Here, we provide a brief introduction to this osteopathic therapeutic approach, focusing on the hands-on techniques that are regularly implemented in the clinical setting. It is becoming increasingly evident that different OMTs can be implemented to enhance patient recovery, both alone and in conjunction with the targeted therapies used in allopathic regimens. Therefore, it may be beneficial to inform the general medical community and educate the public and those associated with the healthcare field about the benefits of using OMT as a treatment modality. OMT is lower-cost, noninvasive, and highly effective in promoting full-body healing by targeting the nervous, lymphatic, immune, and vascular systems. There is a growing body of literature related to osteopathic research and the possible molecular pathways involved in the healing process, and this burgeoning field of medicine is expected to increase in value in the healthcare field. This brief review article explains the frequently utilized OMT modalities and their recognized therapeutic benefits, which underscore the need to understand the possible molecular mechanisms and circulating biomarkers linked to the systemic benefits of osteopathic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Roberts
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 9737 Cogdill Road, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA; (A.R.); (K.H.); (B.O.); (A.B.); (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Kaylee Harris
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 9737 Cogdill Road, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA; (A.R.); (K.H.); (B.O.); (A.B.); (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Bethany Outen
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 9737 Cogdill Road, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA; (A.R.); (K.H.); (B.O.); (A.B.); (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Amar Bukvic
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 9737 Cogdill Road, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA; (A.R.); (K.H.); (B.O.); (A.B.); (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Ben Smith
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 9737 Cogdill Road, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA; (A.R.); (K.H.); (B.O.); (A.B.); (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Adam Schultz
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 9737 Cogdill Road, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA; (A.R.); (K.H.); (B.O.); (A.B.); (B.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Stephen Bergman
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate, TN 37752, USA;
| | - Debasis Mondal
- DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 9737 Cogdill Road, Knoxville, TN 37932, USA; (A.R.); (K.H.); (B.O.); (A.B.); (B.S.); (A.S.)
- Correspondence:
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Anandakrishnan R, Tobey H, Nguyen S, Sandoval O, Klein BG, Costa BM. Cranial manipulation affects cholinergic pathway gene expression in aged rats. J Osteopath Med 2022; 122:95-103. [PMID: 34995434 DOI: 10.1515/jom-2021-0183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Age-dependent dementia is a devastating disorder afflicting a growing older population. Although pharmacological agents improve symptoms of dementia, age-related comorbidities combined with adverse effects often outweigh their clinical benefits. Therefore, nonpharmacological therapies are being investigated as an alternative. In a previous pilot study, aged rats demonstrated improved spatial memory after osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine (OCMM) treatment. OBJECTIVES In this continuation of the pilot study, we examine the effect of OCMM on gene expression to elicit possible explanations for the improvement in spatial memory. METHODS OCMM was performed on six of 12 elderly rats every day for 7 days. Rats were then euthanized to obtain the brain tissue, from which RNA samples were extracted. RNA from three treated and three controls were of sufficient quality for sequencing. These samples were sequenced utilizing next-generation sequencing from Illumina NextSeq. The Cufflinks software suite was utilized to assemble transcriptomes and quantify the RNA expression level for each sample. RESULTS Transcriptome analysis revealed that OCMM significantly affected the expression of 36 genes in the neuronal pathway (false discovery rate [FDR] <0.004). The top five neuronal genes with the largest-fold change were part of the cholinergic neurotransmission mechanism, which is known to affect cognitive function. In addition, 39.9% of 426 significant differentially expressed (SDE) genes (FDR<0.004) have been previously implicated in neurological disorders. Overall, changes in SDE genes combined with their role in central nervous system signaling pathways suggest a connection to previously reported OCMM-induced behavioral and biochemical changes in aged rats. CONCLUSIONS Results from this pilot study provide sufficient evidence to support a more extensive study with a larger sample size. Further investigation in this direction will provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of OCMM and its potential in clinical applications. With clinical validation, OCMM could represent a much-needed low-risk adjunct treatment for age-related dementia including Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramu Anandakrishnan
- Biomedical Sciences, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute, Spartanburg, SC, USA
| | - Hope Tobey
- Sports and Osteopathic Medicine, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Steven Nguyen
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Osscar Sandoval
- Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Bradley G Klein
- Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,School of Neuroscience, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Blaise M Costa
- Biomedical Sciences, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Tobey H, Lucas T, Paul S, Berr SS, Mehrkens B, Brolinson PG, Klein BG, Costa BM. Mechanoceutics Alters Alzheimer's Disease Phenotypes in Transgenic Rats: A Pilot Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 74:421-427. [PMID: 32039851 DOI: 10.3233/jad-191071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Current advancements in neurovascular biology relates a mechanoceutics treatment, known as cranial osteopathic manipulation (COM), Alzheimer's disease (AD). COM could be used as an evidence-based treatment strategy to improve the symptoms of AD if molecular mechanisms, which currently remain unclear, are elucidated. In the present pilot study, using transgenic rats, we have identified COM mediated changes in behavioral and biochemical parameters associated with AD phenotypes. We expect these changes may have functional implications that might account for improved clinical outcomes of COM treatment. Further investigations on COM will be helpful to establish an adjunct treatment for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hope Tobey
- Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Tyler Lucas
- Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Soumen Paul
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Stuart S Berr
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Brittney Mehrkens
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | | | - Bradley G Klein
- Center for One Health Research, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Blaise M Costa
- Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA.,Center for One Health Research, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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