Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in People With Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction

People affected central nervous system (CNS) diseases often suffer from neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) that causes a reduction in the quality of life and participation in social life. Although some conservative approaches exist to treat NBD, none has shown to be effective in managing this complex condition. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has shown to be efficient in CNS diseases such as epilepsy and migraine. This randomised trial aims at evaluating the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in supporting the management of NBD. The research will be conducted at the outpatient service of Neuro-Urology / Spinal Unit of the Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital of Torino. A sample of 62 participants will be divided into two groups: standard (nursing intervention) and experimental (nursing intervention and OMT). A neuro-urologist will determine the eligibility for the study. The outcomes will include self-reported and instrumental measures that will be evaluated in 3 times (before, at the end of the intervention and the follow- up three months). The protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Città della Salute e della Scienza Hospital of Torino on 15.04.2019, protocol number 0040534. The standard intervention has been scheduled for 28.10.2019.