Journal CME, December 2022: The effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial-Article

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A study, titled "The effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on pain and disability in patients with chronic neck pain: A single-blinded randomized controlled trial," investigated the efficacy of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in patients with chronic, nonspecific neck pain (NP). The trial involved 97 participants aged 21 to 65, divided into two groups: one receiving immediate OMT and the other experiencing a waiting period before switching treatments.<br /><br />OMT consisted of three to four sessions over 4 to 6 weeks. Primary outcomes measured were average and current pain levels and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Secondary outcomes included multiple health domains such as sleep disturbance, fatigue, and depression.<br /><br />Results indicated significant improvements in pain and disability for the immediate OMT group. Average pain reduction was noted (1.02, 95% CI: 1.72 to 0.32; p = .005), alongside reductions in current pain (1.02, 95% CI: 1.75 to 0.30; p = .006) and disability (5.30%, 95% CI: 9.2% to 1.3%; p = .010). Positive secondary outcomes showed improved scores in sleep disturbance, fatigue, and depression. No serious adverse events were reported.<br /><br />The study concluded that OMT is an effective, safe intervention for reducing pain, disability, and associated symptoms in patients with chronic neck pain, with the improvements considered clinically meaningful.

Keywords

osteopathic manipulative treatment

chronic neck pain

randomized controlled trial

pain reduction

Neck Disability Index

sleep disturbance

fatigue

depression

clinical outcomes

safe intervention