Category: Research

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 […]

The objectives of this study is 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 International Consortium on Manual Therapies (ICMT) is a grassroots interprofessional association open to any formally trained practitioner of manual therapy (MT) and basic scientists promoting research related to the practice of MT. Currently, MT research is impeded by professions’ lack of communication with other MT professions, biases, and vernacular. Current ICMT goals are to […]

Force-Based Manipulation (FBM) including light touch, pressure, massage, mobilization, thrust manipulation, and needling techniques are utilized across several disciplines to provide clinical analgesia. These commonly used techniques demonstrate the ability to improve pain-related outcomes; however, mechanisms behind why analgesia occurs with these hands-on interventions has been understudied. Neurological, neuroimmune, biomechanical, neurovascular, neurotransmitter, and contextual factor […]

Enactivism and active inference are two important concepts in the field of osteopathy. While enactivism emphasizes the role of the body and the environment in shaping our experiences and understanding of the world, active inference emphasizes the role of action and perception in shaping our experiences and understanding of the world. Together, these frameworks provide […]

Osteopathy is not a health profession in France but it was regulated in 2007. However, the profession is very popular, and the number of osteopaths is the largest in Europe. Since there is limited published data on the profile and characteristics of osteopaths practising in France, this study aimed to survey the current situation of […]

Control interventions (often called “sham,” “placebo,” or “attention controls”) are essential for studying the efficacy or mechanism of physical, psychological, and self-management interventions in clinical trials. This article presents core recommendations for designing, conducting, and reporting control interventions to establish a quality standard in non-pharmacological intervention research. A framework of additional considerations supports researchers’ decision […]

Psychosocial factors play a critical role in the prognosis and management of patients with non-specific low back pain (NSLBP). Scientific evidence suggests that an individual’s beliefs about pain are associated with the attitudes and beliefs of the clinician they consult. This study explores the attitudes, beliefs, and clinical orientations of students, recent graduates, educators, and […]