Virginia Research Day 2025

Medical Student Research Clinical

Shawn Dziepak, MS; Amber Cambridge; Mohammad Sabbagh; Sydney Moriarty; Ishan Perera; Michelle Santiago; Venu Peddibhotla; Chelsea Rubis, DO; Ramu Anandakrishnan, PhD; Frederic Rawlins, II, DO; Gunnar Brolinson, DO Corresponding author: sdziepak@vt.vcom.edu 28 Investigation of Suboccipital Release, Muscle Energy, and Combination Therapy, Respectively Evaluating Their Effect on Carotid Artery Blood Flow: Preliminary Results

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine - Virginia Campus

Release (SR) and Muscle Energy (ME). SR was chosen due to its effect on the parasympathetic nervous system. ME was chosen to provide direct correction of cervical spine somatic dysfunction. 47 healthy participants were recruited and randomized to compare the effects of OMT techniques, specifically ME, SR, combination of ME and SR, and sham, on CCA blood flow. CCA blood flow was measured by Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) and End Diastolic Velocity (EDV) via doppler ultrasonography. Investigators evaluating and treating with OMT passed skills checks approved by the principal investigator. Study ultrasonographers underwent standardized training on the proper technique for measuring CCA velocities. Inter-sonographer reliability was evaluated using ANOVA and boxplots to ensure reliability. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Demographic statistics of study participants did not yield

statistically significant differences. The majority of our cohort was female (73%), with 56% aged 21-25 years and 31% aged 26-30 years. Approximately 50-60% of participants reported taking medications that potentially affect the autonomic nervous system. Overall, data analysis yielded a P-value of 0.195 for PSV and 0.554 for EDV. Interestingly, all groups except the combined ME and SR treatment group showed a decrease in both PSV and EDV post-OMT. Looking forward, the project has received approval for recruitment from the general population for a sample size of 180. Our study will aim to further characterize the relationship between OMT and CCA blood flow and inform future studies examining the role and efficacy of OMT in mTBI management. This study was reviewed and approved by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Institutional Review Board (Reference Number #2023-013).

BACKGROUND: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) accounts for over 75% of all Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) in the United States. mTBI and sports related concussions are associated with significant physiological changes such as reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) and risk of potential post -injury sequelae. 75% of the CBF is supplied by the carotid arteries or anterior circulation. Current post mTBI management strategies do not address CBF changes and research exploring this relationship is scarce. Our study seeks to examine the biological impact of cervical spine Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) on common carotid artery velocity using a robust sample size of healthy participants. We intend to lay the groundwork for future research in populations with mTBI, potentially advancing the role of OMT in post concussive treatment protocols. DESIGN/METHODS: OMT targeting common carotid artery (CCA) blood flow included Suboccipital

151 2025 Research Recognition Day