Abstract
Objectives: To determine the efficacy of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy (CSMT) in the resolution of the persistent or chronic middle ear effusion that is associated with otitis media. This treatment was compared to the insertion of tympanostomy tubes with regards to parent perception and satisfaction.
Methods: Thirty patients under the age of seven that were diagnosed as having persistent or chronic middle ear effusion were assigned to receive either tympanostomy tubes or chiropractic treatment according to parental choice.
Results: After chiropractic treatment, an objective improvement in the middle ear status was noted by serial tympanography, demonstrating resolution of middle ear effusion. This was noted in 64.3% in the right ear, where a type B tympanogram improved to a type A or type C tympanogram, and in 58.3% in the left ear, where a type B improved to a type A or C tympanogram, or a type C improved to a type A tympanogram. After chiropractic treatment, subjective improvements were noted in the patient’s health, hearing, speech and language, behaviour and social skills, balance, gross and fine motor skills, otalgia and the amount of disturbed nights. Additional benefits from chiropractic treatment were noted in 93.3% of cases.
Conclusions: The manner in which the middle ear effusion was resolved by chiropractic manipulation is by normalising the function of the eustachian tube. Eustachian tube dysfunction is a commonly reported aetiological factor in the development of otitis media with effusion, yet previously there was no treatment type to address this problem. Improvement of middle ear effusion occurred in 58.3-64.3% of cases, indicating that chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy could be a viable treatment option to correct the eustachian tube dysfunction.
Dr. Harold Humphries
Dr. Chris Yelverton