The AAO Journal, 2024/06, 34(2):25-26. doi: 10.53702/i2375-5717-34.2.16, type of study: ,mms,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://meridian.allenpress.com/aaoj/article/34/2/16/500954/LBORC-NUFA-Poster-Abstracts-2024-Students)

Keywords:

children [321]
mixed method study [114]
OMT [3924]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
otitis media [39]
pediatrics [573]

Abstract:

Introduction/Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is the second most frequent pediatric emergency room diagnosis, affecting nearly 90% of children before 2 years of age, totaling over 20 million pediatric visits annually. Standard of care for AOM involves antibiotic therapy, but rising antibiotic resistance has spurred interest in non-pharmacological alternatives. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) serves as a holistic approach for managing AOM in children. Recent studies indicate that integrating OMT with standard of care decreases the recurrency of AOM and reduces the need for surgical intervention offering a promising alternative. Objectives: The primary aim serves to standardize an OMT protocol to be utilized by physicians and caregivers outlining techniques to treat AOM in children. Results: An interprofessional team of medical students and physicians developed a trifold brochure highlighting evidence based OMT techniques for providers and caregivers. The developed materials underwent thorough review by the faculty of the Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine department. A comprehensive literature review informed the selection of four key techniques incorporated into the educational protocol. Techniques included myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, articulation and viscerosomatics, chosen based on their prevalence and utility. A succinct reference guide was developed for physicians and caregivers, including the treatment protocol, access to an online portal of videos, and clinician educational materials. Conclusion: This initiative recognizes the widespread impact of AOM in young children and emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of OMT. Future studies will include a validation study to determine the efficacy of the brochure for at home use to determine the impact on frequency and duration of AOM infections. This evidence-based intervention aligns with the holistic nature of OMT and mitigates the challenge of antibiotic resistance in AOM patients.