Virginia Via Research Day Book 2026

Medical Resident Research Clinical

02 QUANTIFYING OMT EFFECTS ON GAIT USING THE ALETHEIA SENSOR

Curtis Smith, DO; Leena Seyam, OMS-II; Per Gunnar Brolinson, DO; Albert Kozar, DO Corresponding author:csmith08@vcom.edu

VCOM-Virginia, Blacksburg, Virginia

scores, Oswestry Disability Index, Wong-Baker FACES pain scores, and a standardized Osteopathic structural exam. Participants complete a 10-minute walking trial wearing AMSD, which records efficiency, varia tion, impact, sway, braking, endurance, warm-up, and diagnostic metrics of hip mobility and stability. Each subject then receives a principle-based OMT session of 20 minutes or less targeting somatic dys-functions identified on screening. The same gait trial and hip ROM testing are repeated. Paired t-tests will compare pre- and post-OMT values. AMSD data is obtained from their phone application, Aletheia Run, with software version 1.3.8. Results: We anticipate OMT will improve AMSD measured hip stability/mobility, gait symmetry, and efficiency, and will correspond with increased passive hip ROM on physical exam. This pilot will identify which AMSD parameters are most responsive to Osteopathic intervention. Data collection is ongoing, but will be ready for poster presentation.

Context: Low back pain (LBP) alters gait mechanics through impaired lumbo-pelvic motion, asymmetry, and re-duced hip mobility, contributing to disability and increased injury risk. Wearable technology such as the Aletheia Motion Sensor Device (AMSD), by Aletheia Run in Eugene, Oregon, may offer force-plate–like gait analysis in a portable format, but its feasibility and clinical utility in LBP and Osteopathic research remains untested. Objective/Hypothesis: To evaluate whether AMSD can sensitively quantify gait and hip mobility/ stability changes before and af-ter Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). We hypothesize OMT will measurably improve AMSD gait parameters and physical-exam hip range of motion. Methods: This pilot within-subject pre/post study will enroll 12 adults, aged 18–50, from a convenience sample with acute or chronic LBP. Baseline measures include demographic data, Baeke physical activity

Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the AMSD feasibility for quantifying biomechanical changes following OMT and will provide preliminary objective data linking Osteopathic treatment with measurable gait and possibly LBP status improvement. Findings will inform a larger definitive study and help integrate weara-ble motion technology into Osteopathic clinical assessment. IRB Statement: This study was approved by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Institutional Review Board, Protocol 2387149.

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131 2026 Research Recognition Day