Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy and Multiple Sclerosis: A Proof-of-Concept Study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Integrative Medicine
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Limited research exists on osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh) for chronic multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms.
• MS significantly impacts patients' quality of life, necessitating exploration of complementary therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of OMTh in alleviating chronic symptoms experienced by individuals with MS.
• To assess the impact of OMTh on disability, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• A study involving patients with MS at Genoa University, Italy.
• Participants were assigned to either a control group receiving health education or an intervention group receiving 5 OMTh sessions.
• Standardized questionnaires and scales (EDSS, MFIS, BDI-II, BAI, SF-12) were used for pre- and post-treatment assessments.

Main Results:

• The OMTh group showed statistically significant improvements in fatigue (P=.002) and depression (P<.001) one week post-intervention.
• A positive trend towards improved quality of life was observed in the OMTh group (P=.36).
• No significant changes were reported in the control group.

Conclusions:

• OMTh demonstrates potential as a beneficial therapeutic option for managing chronic symptoms in multiple sclerosis.
• Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms of OMTh in MS care.