Abstracto

Effectiveness of the MAIT® method in patients with Crohn's disease and seronegative arthritis: A preliminary study.

Paolo Flocco

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if the use of manual manipulative techniques (according to the MAIT® method) in addition to the classical treatment could be effective in the management of enteropathic arthritis of Crohn's patient.

Methods: In the present study, 6 patients with Crohn's disease suffering from IBD (Inflammatory Bowel D isease) relational seronegative arthritis were examined. The subjects were divided into 2 groups; the first group continued the traditional drug treatments, the second group continued the traditional drug treatments and underwent manual manipulative therapies according to the MAIT® method: 2 treatments per week for 4 weeks. Articular pain intensity was measured with Visual Analogical Scale-VAS (Scott Huskisson, 1976) and quality of life with questionnaires SF-36 Health Survey and Nottingham Health Profile-NHP, administered two months before treatment (T0), the day before treatment (T1), at the end (T2) and after one month (T3).

Results: After 4 weeks of treatment (T2), there was a significant improvement in the group of patients undergoing traditional MAIT® treatment, both in terms of pain reduction and quality of life improvement, compared to the control group. The benefit was maintained one month after the end of the MAIT® treatment (T3).

Discussion: Manipulative treatment according to the MAIT® Method may have beneficial effects in Crohn's patients with seronegative arthritis comorbidity.