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Research: PLOTKIN and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 73
Abstract
PLOTKIN and colleagues, Department of Microbiology, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University, USA, Bplotk@Midwestern.edu, assessed the impact of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as an adjunct to standard psychiatric treatment of women with depression .
Background
Methodology
In this randomized, controlled, pilot clinical trial, premenopausal women with newly diagnosed depression received either control treatment (osteopathic structural examination only; n=9) or OMT (n=8). Attending psychiatrists and psychologists were blinded to group assignments. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to age or severity of disease. All women also received conventional therapy (paroxetine hydrochloride (Paxil) plus weekly psychotherapy for 8 weeks).
Results
After 8 weeks, 100% of the OMT group and 33% of the control group tested normal by psychometric evaluation. There were no significant differences or trends between groups in levels of cytokine production (IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 or IL-10) or in levels of anti-HSV-1, anti-HSV-2 and anti-EBV antibodies. No pattern to the osteopathic manipulative structural dysfunctions was recorded.
Conclusion
The findings of this pilot study indicate that OMT may be a useful adjunctive treatment for alleviating depression in women.
References
Plotkin BJ et al. Adjunctive osteopathic manipulative treatment in women with depression: a pilot study. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association 101 (9): 517-23. Sep 2001.
Comment
Although this preliminary trial produced highly promising findings, it is impossible to assess the contribution of the 'placebo' factor, since the women obviously were not 'blind' to whether or not they were receiving OMT (unlike the psychometric assessors). This also highlights the methodological difficulties encountered in designing many trials assessing complementary/alternative therapies, particularly manipulative therapies. However, it should be possible, with careful investigation into the methodology, to design a trial that incorporates a more meaningful control group that receives 'sham' OMT, along the lines that have been used in some acupuncture trials.
