WesternU to conduct OMT research study
The Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific NMM/OMM Department invites students, faculty, and staff at all WesternU colleges to participate in a research study investigating the use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) possibly improving antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination being conducted by NMM/OMM and Family Medicine Professor Jesus Sanchez, DO. This study has received IRB approval and CRT approval and is set to begin June 11, 2021.
The purpose of this study is to determine if Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and lymphatic techniques will increase the antibody production in response to the COVID-19 vaccine. WesternU is looking for participants who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine. A total of 200 participants will be enrolled in the study and will receive a COVID-19 vaccination on WesternU’s Pomona, California campus.
Volunteers will be asked to come to multiple follow-up visits. Participants in the control and intervention group will be asked to come in for blood draws the day of vaccination, seven days after first vaccination, 21 days later, then day 28, day 35, day 90, six months after first vaccination, and one year after first vaccination. Those in the intervention group will additionally receive treatment on the day of their first vaccination, the day following their first vaccination, the day of their second vaccination and the day following their second vaccination. Participants will also be asked to track the side effects experienced from the vaccine or adverse effects from OMT as well as any medications taken during the time. They will receive a $50 dollar gift card of their choosing between Amazon or Target following the blood draw on day 90. They will receive a $25 gift card after the six-month follow up visit and another $25 gift card after the one-year follow up visit. Parking on campus will come at no extra charge to participants, along with no costs for blood draws, and no cost for the OMT.
All identifying information will be kept confidential and anonymous. Possible participants are encouraged to discuss with friends, family, the investigators, research team members, or health care professionals before choosing to volunteer. If there is any interest in joining this study, participants can contact the research assistant Eric Martinez and research PI Dr. Jesus Sanchez by email, covid-omtstudy@westernu.edu, or by phone, 909-469-8563. We will be happy to respond to any questions or concerns.
