The effects of osteopathic treatment on psychosocial factors in people with persistent pain: A systematic review
Persistent pain is considered a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon whose understanding and management is yet to be improved. More research is needed to determine the common paths that lead to developing persistent pain, to identify the populations most at risk and to develop and evaluate interventions. The last decades have seen a shift in pain management, from the biomedical model to a biopsychosocial model. There is also a significant body of evidence emphasizing the effects of osteopathy in persistent pain management. Given the relevance of psychosocial factors in aetiology and maintenance of pain, it is essential to investigate whether osteopathy has an influence on depression, anxiety, fear avoidance or pain catastrophyzing. This review will identify and synthesize relevant primary research focused on the effects of osteopathic interventions on psychosocial factors in patients living with different pain conditions … ABSTRACT