Can osteopathic manipulative treatment modify the posture in elderly people? - a single-case study

Area of Science:

• Osteopathic manipulative medicine
• Clinical biomechanics
• Geriatric physical therapy

Background:

• Altered balance and low-back pain are common in older adults.
• Osteopathic manipulative sessions (OMS) are a potential intervention for such conditions.
• Single-case research (SCR) designs can evaluate treatment efficacy in individual patients.

Observation:

• A 77-year-old woman with balance issues and low-back pain received three OMS.
• Postural control was assessed using a force platform measuring center of foot pressure (CoP) displacement.
• Pain levels were self-reported using a visual Borg scale.

Findings:

• OMS significantly decreased the patient's reported pain.
• Postural analysis revealed modifications in CoP mean position, length, and velocity.
• Objective improvements in body sway and postural control were observed post-OMS.

Implications:

• Osteopathic manipulative sessions show promise for improving balance and reducing pain in older adults.
• Single-case research designs provide a valid method for objectively evaluating the effects of manual therapies.
• Findings support the integration of OMS into geriatric care for balance and pain management.