AOCOPM 2023 Midyear Educational Conference-259668

259668 - Article 9

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The AOCOPM 2023 Midyear Educational Conference covered a presentation by Dr. John Campbell on the use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) as a countermeasure for motion sickness. Motion sickness is an ailment caused during travel by car, air, or boat, characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting, which typically resolves once motion stops. The condition arises when the body, inner ear, and eyesight send conflicting signals to the brain, often exacerbated by modern travel methods and technology.<br /><br />The presentation highlighted study findings involving 12 healthy adults who were evaluated for motion sickness using the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (MSSQ). Participants received either a sham or focused OMT treatment. During the study, participants were seated in a spinning Barany Chair to induce symptoms, and physiological responses were measured using the Biopac Bionomadix system.<br /><br />Results indicated improvements in gastrointestinal and sopite-related (sleepiness) symptoms for those receiving OMT compared to the sham group, although the treatment did not significantly impact peripheral symptoms or heart rate. The study suggests that OMT may offer a promising, low-cost, non-medicinal option to mitigate motion sickness, especially in military contexts where quick mobility is crucial and traditional symptoms pose challenges to personnel like aviators, MEDEVAC crews, and patients.<br /><br />However, limitations such as the small sample size and the need for broader demographic representation were noted, emphasizing the need for further studies. OMT is presented as a feasible treatment option when delivered by certified physicians or flight surgeons, given its lack of side effects and potential for broader applicability. References for further information are available upon request.

Keywords

AOCOPM 2023

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

motion sickness

Dr. John Campbell

Barany Chair

Biopac Bionomadix

military application

gastrointestinal symptoms

sopite symptoms

non-medicinal treatment