The effect of the osteopathic thoracic lymphatic pump technique on salivary secretory immunoglobulin A levels in adults with recurrent upper respiratory tract complaints

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Low levels of salivary SIgA have been associated with upper respiratory tract infection, oral ulceration and systemic diseases. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment has been shown to have a positive effect on salivary SIgA levels. OBJECTIVE: This single case study aimed to determine changes in salivary SIgA concentration and secretion rate in response to a single 7-minute intervention of the osteopathic thoracic lymphatic pump in four male subjects who indicated suppressed mucosal immunity identified by recurrent upper respiratory tract infection and oral ulceration. METHODS: On a single day a total of nine saliva samples were collected per participant via oral swab, including four samples pre-, one peri- and four post-intervention. Participant results were analysed individually with group statistics reported. RESULTS: At baseline all participants showed suppressed levels of salivary SIgA concentrations with an average of 58.03 μg/mL (<79.26 μg/mL). Post-intervention Salivary SIgA concentrations increased in three participants [Effect size (ES) = 1.74 - 2.71]. On average salivary SIgA concentrations increased to 72.73 μg/mL (25.3%). Salivary SIgA secretion rates showed no clear pattern of change (ES = -1.82 to 1.96). On average salivary SIgA secretion rates increased from 23.8 μg/min to 24.4 μg/min (5.9%). The mean effect size for salivary SIgA secretion rates baseline to post-intervention was d=0.05. CONCLUSION: This study showed some indication of an overall trend for an increase in salivary SIgA concentration. Changes in salivary SIgA secretion rate were inconsistent and the therapeutic benefit of the thoracic lymphatic pump in participants with a suppressed mucosal immune function remains unclear.