Category: Research

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 […]

Chronic pain management is challenging. Those with chronic pain present to health professionals, including osteopaths. This study looked at information from a survey of osteopaths in New Zealand. We wanted to learn about the backgrounds and types of treatment given by osteopaths who often help patients with chronic pain versus those who don’t … ABSTRACT

Chronic Low Back Pain (cLBP) poses a significant health challenge, leading to functional disability and reduced quality of life. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is emerging as a therapeutic option for cLBP, but the brain mechanisms underlying its analgesic effect remain unclear … MORE

Person-centred care underscores the therapeutic alliance (TA) as fundamental, fostering positive treatment outcomes through collaborative patient-clinician interactions. Biobehavioural synchrony within the TA, essential for effective care, reflects an adaptive process where organisms align responses during interactions. Enactivism and active inference provide profound insights into human perception, reshaping musculoskeletal care understanding. Touch and verbal communication, integral […]

Enactivism is a theoretical perspective in the fields of philosophy of mind and cognition that emphasizes the active role of the organism in constructing and giving meaning to the world around it. It highlights that the mind is not merely a passive receiver of information from the environment, but rather an active participant in the […]

The objective of this study was to examine the agreement and interrater reliability of a palpation method for locating the C1 transverse processes (C1TP) and the association between personal characteristics with the observed agreement … ABSTRACT

The practice of osteopathy differs around the world. However, the dominant practice is that of manual therapy interventions guided by assessment of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Patient populations treated by osteopaths vary across the lifespan and include groups with more-nuanced care requirements such as those who are pregnant. The volume of evidence for osteopathy care is […]

The main aim of this study was to test the inter and intra-rater reliability of the Manual Diaphragm Assessment (MED) scale and compared with chest expansion (CE) in healthy participants … ABSTRACT

Heart rate variability (HRV) describes fluctuations in time intervals between heartbeatsand reflects autonomic activity. HRV is reduced in stressed patients with musculoskeletal pain andimproved after osteopathic manipulative treatment and mind–body interventions. Heart-focused palpation (HFP) combines manual and mind–body approaches to facilitate relaxation. This randomised controlled pilot study investigated the feasibility and sample size for a […]