Efficacy of the Osteopathic Treatment in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Several studies were carried out in time on osteopathic treatments in patients with PD, demonstrating an improved motor function, albeit short lived. Our trial was aimed at assessing the potential efficacy of the Osteopathic Manipulative treatment (OMT) on mobility, posture, and gait in patients with moderate PD, as well as the importance of “taking charge” of the patient for the Quality of Life (QoL) of individuals with PD. Material and methods. 32 subjects aged 76±7.284 were divided in two groups: group B (n=17) received the OMT, followed by the SHAM treatment; group A (n=15) received the SHAM treatment, then the OMt. the study was designed as a nine-week cross-over trial, with group cross-overperformed after a one-week wash-out. All the subjects underwent a baseline neurological blind evaluation at four weeks and post cross-over. the ADL, IADL, GDS, and GpE scales were also administered. Results. 16 subjects completed the study, 32 subjects participated in the first four weeks only. An improvement of the mean and standard deviation parameters was observed in the UpDRS and the tUG test in patients receiving the OMT. A decrease of the dysfunction degree was observed in both groups upon the osteopathic evaluation. Conclusions. The data show the potential usefulness of the OMT in PD with respect to stiffness, mobility, posture and where the patient is taken charge of. Further studies will be needed to disprove the goal of the trial.