Good quality research is needed to evidence the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment for babies and children. While we undertake our own FPO research, we also seek to collaborate with other organisations to deliver shared research goals.
Patient Reported Outcome Measures
We are currently working with the National Council for Osteopathic Research to develop a system of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for the paediatric setting, in order to ensure a consistent approach to data capture.
We are piloting this PROM tool in our clinics so we can capture credible data on the outcomes of treatment specifically for babies and children. We will be collating data between April and June 2018, and will share the results once they have been interpreted.
As a result of an increasing need to address the evidence gap in osteopathic practice, the Foundation for Paediatric Osteopathy has conducted a retrospective piece of research based on information collected over two years.
The data is currently being interpreted and we aim to publish the results in June.
Directory of Paediatric Research
Glue Ear
Mills MV, Henley CE, Barnes LL, Carreiro JE, Degenhardt BF. The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment as adjuvant therapy in children with acute otitis media. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2003;157(9):861-6.
Degenhardt BF, Kuchera ML. Osteopathic evaluation and manipulative treatment in reducing the morbidity of otitis media: a pilot study. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2006;106(6):327-34.
Immune system and osteopathic treatment
Lisa M Hodge and H Fred Downey. Lymphatic pump treatment enhances the lymphatic and immune systems. Experimental Biology and Medicine 2011, 236:1109-1115.
Lisa M. Hodge. Osteopathic lymphatic pump techniques to enhance immunity and treat pneumonia. Int J Osteopath Med. 2012 March ; 15(1): 13–21
Hodge LM, King HH, Williams AG Jr, Reder SJ, Belavadi T, Simecka JW, Stoll ST, Downey HF. Abdominal lymphatic pump treatment increases leukocyte count and flux in thoracic duct lymph. Lymphat Res Biol. 2007;5(2):127-33.
Schander A, Downey HF, Hodge LM. Lymphatic pump manipulation mobilizes inflammatory mediators into lymphatic circulation. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2012 Jan 1;237(1):58-63.
Neurological problems
Frymann VM. Learning difficulties of children viewed in the light of the osteopathic concept. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1976;76:46-61
Frymann VM, Carney RE, Springall P. Effect of osteopathic medical management on neurologic development in children. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1992;92:729-744
Back pain
Cruser dA, Maurer D, Hensel K, Brown SK, White K, Stoll ST. A randomized, controlled trial of osteopathic manipulative treatment for acute low back pain in active duty military personnel. J Man Manip Ther. 2012 Feb;20(1):5-15
Licciardone JC, Minotti DE, Gatchel RJ, Kearns CM, Singh KP. Osteopathic manual treatment and ultrasound therapy for chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial. Ann Fam Med. 2013 Mar;11(2):122-9.
Birth strains
Frymann VM. Relation of disturbances of craniosacral mechanisms to symptomatology of the newborn: study of 1,250 infants. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 1966;65:1059-1075
Sleep
Cutler MJ, Holland BS, Stupinski BA, et al. Cranial manipulation can alter sleep latency and sympathetic nerve activity in humans: a pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(1):103
Cerebral Palsy
Duncan, B. et al. Parental Perceptions of the Therapeutic Effect from Osteopathic Manipulation or Acupuncture in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Clinical Pediatrics. 2004; 349-353.
Wyatt K, Edwards V, Franck L, Britten N, Creanor S, Maddick A, Logan S. Cranial osteopathy for children with cerebral palsy: a randomised controlled trial. Arch Dis Child. 2011 Jun;96(6):505-12.
Colic
Clive Hayden, Brenda Mullinger. A preliminary assessment of the impact of cranial osteopathy for the relief of infantile colic. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2006;12 (2):83-90.