Osteopathic manipulative treatment of back pain and related symptoms during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

John C. Licciardone, Steve Buchanan, Kendi L. Hensel, Hollis H. King, Kimberly G. Fulda, Scott T. Stoll

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To study osteopathic manipulative treatment of back pain and related symptoms during the third trimester of pregnancy. Study Design: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted to compare usual obstetric care and osteopathic manipulative treatment, usual obstetric care and sham ultrasound treatment, and usual obstetric care only. Outcomes included average pain levels and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire to assess back-specific functioning. Results: Intention-to-treat analyses included 144 subjects. The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores worsened during pregnancy; however, back-specific functioning deteriorated significantly less in the usual obstetric care and osteopathic manipulative treatment group (effect size, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-1.14; P = .001 vs usual obstetric care only; and effect size, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, -0.06 to 0.76; P = .09 vs usual obstetric care and sham ultrasound treatment). During pregnancy, back pain decreased in the usual obstetric care and osteopathic manipulative treatment group, remained unchanged in the usual obstetric care and sham ultrasound treatment group, and increased in the usual obstetric care only group, although no between-group difference achieved statistical significance. Conclusion: Osteopathic manipulative treatment slows or halts the deterioration of back-specific functioning during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)43.e1-43.e8
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume202
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • back pain
  • osteopathic manipulative treatment
  • physical functioning
  • pregnancy
  • randomized controlled trial

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Osteopathic manipulative treatment of back pain and related symptoms during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this