Pediatric Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Pediatric Healthcare
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) is underutilized in pediatrics due to limited evidence on its safety, feasibility, and effectiveness.
• A critical review of existing literature is necessary to identify research gaps and guide future investigations in pediatric OMM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a systematic scoping review of pediatric osteopathic manipulative medicine.
• To identify gaps in the current scientific literature regarding OMM in children.
• To provide recommendations for future high-quality research in pediatric OMM.

Main Methods:

• Systematic scoping review of 10 databases using specific keywords and Medical Subject Headings.
• Inclusion criteria: primary articles on OMM in patients aged 0-18 years, conducted in the United States.
• Critical appraisal of selected studies using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system.

Main Results:

• 315 unique articles were identified; 30 met inclusion criteria.
• Only 13 studies reported statistically significant results; no significant adverse events were noted.
• The majority of studies provided weak clinical evidence due to methodological flaws and biases.

Conclusions:

• There is a paucity of robust, evidence-based literature supporting the therapeutic benefits of OMM for pediatric care.
• While OMM appears to have a low risk profile and is medically tolerated, strong clinical recommendations cannot be made.
• High-quality, scientifically rigorous research is essential to establish the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of OMM in pediatric populations.