The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2004/08, 104(8):343. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2004.104.8.337, type of study: ,ccs,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2004.104.8.337/html)

Keywords:

biomarkers [21]
case control study [58]
chronic pain [323]
low back pain [523]
OMT [3924]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
pilot study [215]

Abstract:

Research Questions: This pilot study was designed to investigate three research questions: 1) Is there a reliable difference in circulating levels of beta-endorphin and monoamines between persons with chronic low back pain (CLBP) and patients without low back pain (non-LBP)? 2) Do levels of any of these substances change after manipulation? 3) Do levels of any of these substances correlate with ratings of pain? Methods: 20 subjects, 10 with CLBP and 10 without chronic pain, participated in this study. Each subject was seen on five consecutive days at the same time of the day (+-10 minutes) and blood was drawn for analysis of circulating blood markers. On day four, all subjects received osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for their specific somatic dysfunctions 1 hour before their blood draw, with a 20-30 minute rest period between the OMT and the blood draw. The blood was analyzed for levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, norepinephrine, VMA and beta-endorphins. A daily questionnaire was used to monitor pain levels, sleep patterns, and medication usage. Results: There was marginal reduction in pain immediately after OMT in the CLBP group (p=0.06) and a persisting decrease in pain after 24 hours (p=0.03). The level of 5-HT 24 hours after treatment was significantly reduced from baseline (p=0.02). In both groups, beta-endorphins increased immediately after treatment (p=0.01), and remained elevated at 24 hours post-treatment in the CLBP group (p=0.008). For 5-HIAA, the CLBP group showed a significant reduction immediately after treatment compared to baseline (p=0.05). Conclusions: This pilot project demonstrated that OMT may influence specific circulating biochemical markers. At this time, it appears that this interaction is independent of subjects' self-reported pain.