Osteopathic manipulation reduces pain and improves quality of life

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine

Abstract

Background: Systematic evaluation of the current use of, and outcomes from, osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) has not been performed. Aim: To evaluate the scope of conditions being treated with osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and the effect of OMT on symptom severity and quality of life (QOL). Methods: Adult patient participants (n = 212) received OMT from 12 physicians. Data was collected on presenting complaints and symptoms, medical diagnoses, somatic dysfunction findings and diagnoses, average and worst symptom level the week prior to and daily for 7 days after OMT, and how much symptoms interfered with QOL (usual/general activities, work, sleep, mood, relationships, and enjoyment of life) for the week before and after OMT. Symptom severity and interference with QOL levels were rated on a 0-10 scale (0 = none, 10 = worst). To determine if demographic and condition characteristics were related to response to OMT, participants were classified as non-responders based on 3 definitions: patients unchanged or worse in at least 1 treated body region based on physician report (physician-determined); patient reported feeling unchanged or worse immediately after treatment (patient-determined [immediate]); and patient reported feeling unchanged or worse at 7 days after treatment (patient-determined [7-day]). Results: The most common symptoms treated with OMT were pain-related: neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain, thoracic spine pain, and hip pain. The most common medical diagnoses were low back pain, cervicalgia, sprains and strains, myalgia/myositis, and osteoarthoses. A significant decrease (P < .0001) in the mean symptom severity levels from prior to treatment was reported; the decrease was largest 1 day after OMT and levels continued to decrease until day 5. There was a significant decrease of at least 1 point for interference with usual/general activities, sleep, mood, and enjoyment of life 1 week after OMT (all P < .0001). 87% of participants were physician-determined responders. There was a significant decrease (P < .0001) in patient-determined response to OMT from immediately post-OMT (91%) to 7-days after OMT (72%). There were no significant relationships between response to OMT (by any of the 3 definitions) and chief complaints (P ≥ .60), medical diagnoses (P ≥ .14), symptom level at the time of the office visit (average level P ≥ .12; worst level P ≥ .14), or extent of somatic dysfunction diagnosed (P ≥ .07). Physician-determined non-responders reported higher interference with usual/general activities, sleep, relationships, and enjoyment of life compared to responders (P ≤ .02). Symptom severity levels and interference with QOL for patient-determined (7-day) responders decreased more than non-responders 1 week after OMT (P ≤ .04). Discussion: The most common conditions treated with OMT are pain related. OMT improves symptom severity and QOL in the week following treatment. Those with higher levels of interference with QOL are less likely to respond to OMT based on physician assessment of treatment response. QOL improved more for those who reported feeling better 1 week after OMT. © 2013.

DOI

10.1016/j.ijosm.2013.01.006

Publication Date

3-1-2013

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