Research Digest

1. CHRONIC PAIN, COMPLEXITY AND A SUGGESTED ROLE FOR THE OSTEOPATHIC PROFESSION

   Chronic pain is common and has a substantial impact on individuals’ lives and the society in which they live. However, current strategies for managing chronic pain have low to moderate efficacy. We present a complexity informed model of managing chronic pain. The authors propose that the biological, psychological and social factors influencing the experience of […]

2. The effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on pain and disability in patients with chronic low back pain: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial

   The evidence for the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in the management of low back pain (LBP) is considered weak by systematic reviews, because it is generally based on low-quality studies. Consequently, there is a need for more randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a low risk of bias. The objective of this study is […]

3. Reported biological effects following Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A comprehensive mapping review

   Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a therapeutic whole-body approach mainly focused on correcting somatic dysfunctions. The aim of this scoping review is to systematically map the literature regarding the documented biological effects observed following OMT … MORE

4. Investigating the safety and feasibility of osteopathic manipulative medicine in hospitalized children and adolescent young adults with cancer

   Children and adolescents young adults (AYAs) undergoing treatment for oncologic diagnoses are frequently hospitalized and experience unwanted therapy-induced side effects that diminish quality of life. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a medical intervention that utilizes manual techniques to diagnose and treat body structures. Few studies have investigated the implementation of OMT in the pediatric oncology […]

5. A superficial dissection approach to the sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) ganglion to emphasize osteopathic clinical relevance

   The sphenopalatine (pterygopalatine) ganglion (SPG) is the most superficial ganglia to manipulate from the oral cavity. It has parasympathetic and sensory fibers directly affecting the paranasal sinuses as well as the palatine, nasal, pharyngeal, and lacrimal glands. The SPG can be manipulated intraorally by students and physicians utilizing osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to relieve congestion […]

6. A framework for the interpretation of heart rate variability applied to transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation and osteopathic manipulation

   Reports on autonomic responses to transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) and osteopathic manipulative techniques have been equivocal, partly due to inconsistent interpretation of heart rate variability (HRV). We developed a mechanistic framework for the interpretation of HRV based on a model of sinus node automaticity that considers autonomic effects on Phase 3 repolarization and […]

7. How do Australian osteopaths manage migraines? Outcomes from a national practice-based research network

   Individuals who experience migraines often seek out a variety of treatment options including manual or physical therapy. Evidence suggests that manual therapy, including osteopathy, can play a role in the management of migraines. Whilst there is some literature on the role osteopathy therapy plays in migraine management, none describes the treatment approaches used by practitioners. […]

8. The short- and long-term effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment on pain, and psychosocial factors in adults with chronic low back pain

   Chronic low back pain (CLBP) has long plagued mankind, but little progress has been made in finding a rational and effective treatment, let alone a common cause. This study is an attempt to fill that void by measuring short- and long-term effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), including psychosocial and pain reduction in CLBP patients. […]

9. Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on maternal-fetal hemodynamics in third trimester pregnant women: A prospective study

   The objective of this prospective study is to evaluate the maternal-fetal hemodynamic effects after osteopathic manipulative treatment by measuring vital signs and Doppler velocimetry in third-trimester pregnant women … MORE

10. Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on children with plagiocephaly in the context of current pediatric practice: a retrospective chart review study

    Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is on the rise in pediatric patients. The current standard of care recommended for management is repositioning with possible addition of cranial orthoses. However, strong data are lacking to support these recommendations. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is another treatment option for DP that is also lacking evidential support. This retrospective chart review […]