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Pregnancy Research on Osteopathic Manipulation Optimizing Treatment Effects: the PROMOTE study
Kendi L Hensel1, Steve Buchanan2, Sarah K Brown3
1Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX.
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|July 29, 2014
Summary
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) effectively reduced low back pain and improved function in pregnant women during their third trimester compared to usual care alone. OMT showed similar results to placebo ultrasound treatment, indicating its safety and efficacy as an adjunctive therapy.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Integrative Medicine
- Pain Management
Background:
- Low back pain is a common complaint during the third trimester of pregnancy.
- Existing treatments may have limitations or contraindications.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) offers a non-pharmacological approach to pain management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of OMT in alleviating low back pain and enhancing physical function in pregnant individuals during their third trimester.
- To evaluate the impact of OMT on labor and delivery outcomes.
- To determine the safety of OMT during late-stage pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 400 women in their third trimester.
- Participants were allocated to usual care only (UCO), usual care plus OMT, or usual care plus placebo ultrasound treatment (PUT).
- Seven OMT sessions were administered over nine weeks by certified specialists, with outcomes measured via self-report and medical records.
Main Results:
- Both OMT and PUT groups reported significant improvements in pain and back-related functioning (P < .001) compared to the UCO group.
- No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the OMT and PUT groups.
- No increased risk of conversion to high-risk pregnancy status was noted in any treatment group.
Conclusions:
- OMT is a safe and effective adjunctive therapy for mitigating pain and functional decline in the third trimester of pregnancy.
- While OMT demonstrated significant benefits over usual care alone, its efficacy was comparable to placebo ultrasound treatment.
- Further research may be needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and optimal application of OMT in this population.
