Category: Research

The profile and clinical presentation of people consulting osteopaths in Belgium has been studied and reported before. Information on employment aspects of such individuals is lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional observational study was to contribute to filling this gap … ABSTRACT

The objective of this review is to systematically investigate trustworthiness (methodological rigor, transparency, good governance, research integrity, and absence of misconduct) in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of osteopathic manual therapy … MORE

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) has emerged as a therapeutic approach for chronic low back pain (cLBP). Previous Magnetic Resonance (MR) studies have demonstrated that four weeks of OMT alter resting-state functional connectivity (rs-FC) in the somatosensory cortex, prefrontal regions, and frontal operculum/insula. However, it remains unclear whether a single session of OMT can immediately affect […]

Chronic back pain conditions are highly prevalent worldwide. Osteopathic treatment seems to improve pain and function in this population. However, the mechanisms underlying osteopathic diagnosis and treatment of the spine are mainly unknown. Arguably, both inflammatory and autonomic processes may be involved, which should entail changes in skin temperature. Primarily, the feasibility of the study […]

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has shown efficacy in various clinical conditions and age groups. Understanding its neurobiological, particularly autonomic, mechanisms of action remain limited. Preliminary studies suggested a parasympathetic effect of OMT, evidenced by heart-rate-variability analysis. A cross-over RCT on healthy adults was conducted to compare OMT with sham therapy. Thirty-seven participants underwent two sessions […]

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) presents a significant challenge for manual therapists. Recent advancements in pain research have highlighted the limitations of the traditional biomedical and biopsychosocial models, prompting the exploration of alternatives. The biopsychosocial-enactive (BPS-E) model has emerged as a promising alternative. This study aims to explore the application of the BPS-E model by […]

Manual and manipulative therapy interventions are commonly sought by individuals experiencing headaches or migraines. Evidence supports the use of manual therapy as part of the management of headache and migraine disorders. Osteopaths are health professionals who provide care for individuals experiencing headaches and migraines. However, there is a lack of data concerning the profile of […]

The role of contextual effects in musculoskeletal pain research and clinical practice has garnered growing interest in recent years. While ongoing research has advanced knowledge, it has also sparked debate between clinicians, clinical trialists and other researchers. The controversy over contextual effects in musculoskeletal pain research and practice highlights the tension between leveraging their therapeutic […]

Mechanistic studies on manual therapy (MT) have potential to allow better understanding of ‘why’ and ‘how’ MT interventions provide an effect. Contextual factors (CF) include the multitude of intrinsic and extrinsic inputs outside of the specific intervention which influence response. CFs must be accounted for within both clinical and mechanistic trials. The influence of CFs […]

Although there is evidence supporting positive outcomes for osteopathic healthcare during pregnancy and post-natal phases, there is very little that describes the practice and management characteristics of osteopaths providing this healthcare. The aim of this study is to describe the specific characteristics of Australian and New Zealand osteopaths who often treat pregnant women and children […]