Clinical Trial: Echinacea Purpurea and Osteopathy in Children With Recurrent Otitis Media

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Echinacea Purpurea and Cranial Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in Children With Recurrent Otitis Media: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Brief Summary: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of the herb Echinacea purpurea and of cranial osteopathic manipulative treatment to prevent otitis media (middle ear infections) in young children.

Detailed Summary: The use of complementary and alternative therapies by parents of young children remains common despite the lack of clinical trials demonstrating either the efficacy or safety of these treatments. Two of the more common complementary therapies used in young children with a history of recurrent otitis media are preparations of the herb Echinacea purpurea and cranial osteopathic manipulative treatment. This study represents one of the first double-blinded, placebo controlled trials of each approach in a population of young children who presented with three or more recent episodes of acute otitis media.
Sponsor: University of Arizona

Current Primary Outcome: The occurrence of a first episode of acute otitis media during the study period. [ Time Frame: Six months ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome: The total number of episodes of diagnosed acute otitis media during the study period. [ Time Frame: Six months ]

Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Arizona

Dates:
Date Received: May 30, 2008
Date Started: July 1999
Date Completion:
Last Updated: May 30, 2008
Last Verified: May 2008