Unpublished MSc thesis, Wiener Schule für Osteopathie, 2007/01, 47, type of study: ,rct,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Free full text   (https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/3016)

Keywords:

ligamentum sternopericardium superior [1]
ligamentum sterno-pericardium inferior [1]
ligamentum vertebropericardium [1]
lung function [18]
recoil technique [4]
sternum [7]
stretch technique [1]
vital capacity [7]
randomized controlled trial [947]
WSO [508]

Abstract:

Currently only few researchers have investigated the influence of osteopathic treatment on lung function. For optimal perspiration free mobility of the thorax is essential. Since it is assumed that the mobility of the thorax is limited by the tension of fascia and ligaments, the relaxation of the pericardial ligaments might improve lung function. To investigate whether the treatment of the mediastinum can improve vital capacity of persons with palpable restrictions of fascia 60 adult persons were randomly divided into Test (n=30) and Control (n=30) groups. The osteopathic treatment consisted of a recoil technique to the sternopericardial ligaments and a stretch technique to the vertebropericardial ligaments. Lung function was assessed before and after the treatment using a forced expiration test. The treatment did not result in a significantly increased vital capacity (t-test confirmed zero hypothesis - no difference between both groups).