Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 30, 2025

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling
07:11

Assessment of the Efficacy of An Osteopathic Treatment in Infants with Biomechanical Impairments to Suckling

Published on: February 5, 2019

9.2K

Osteopathic Treatment for Gastrointestinal Disorders in Term and Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and

Francesca Buffone1,2,3, Domenico Monacis2,4, Andrea Gianmaria Tarantino1,2

  • 1Division of Paediatric, Manima Non-Profit Organization Social Assistance and Healthcare, 20125 Milan, Italy.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) shows potential benefits for infant gastrointestinal disorders, particularly reducing crying time in colic. However, more high-quality research is needed to confirm effectiveness and allow for broader application.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Osteopathic Medicine

Background:

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders are common in infants.
  • Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a non-pharmacological approach.
  • Evidence on OMT for infant GI issues requires synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness of OMT for GI disorders in term and preterm infants.
  • To assess OMT's impact on outcomes like crying, feeding, and weight gain.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies.
  • Searched major databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, Cinahl, PEDro.
  • Included studies comparing OMT to control groups in infants with GI disorders.

Main Results:

  • Nine articles met eligibility criteria; five had low risk of bias.
  • Meta-analysis of two studies showed significant reduction in crying hours for infantile colic (ES = −2.46).
  • Other outcomes (feeding, weight gain) were qualitatively synthesized; OMT was generally safe.

Conclusions:

  • OMT demonstrates potential efficacy for some infant GI issues, notably colic.
  • Moderate quality evidence exists, but conflicting results and lack of replication studies limit generalization.
  • High-quality randomized controlled trials are recommended for robust evidence.

Keywords:
gastrointestinal functionnewbornosteopathic manipulative treatmentpreterm infantterm infant

More Related Videos

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

19.7K
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment as a Useful Adjunctive Tool for Pneumonia13:27

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment as a Useful Adjunctive Tool for Pneumonia

Published on: May 6, 2014

48.2K

Related Concept Videos

Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders01:20

Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

Gastrointestinal or GI motility disorders are characterized by irregular gastrointestinal tract movements, disrupting food transit from the mouth to the anus. They are caused by damage or dysfunction in gut muscles or nerves. These disorders can cause symptoms such as severe constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and swallowing difficulties. Disorders can affect any segment of the GI tract and range widely in severity, from common conditions like GERD to life-threatening conditions like...
567
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
401
Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy01:26

Imaging Studies III: Gastrointestinal Motility Studies and Virtual Colonoscopy

This lesson explores three gastrointestinal imaging techniques: radionuclide testing, colonic transit studies, and virtual colonoscopy.
Radionuclide Testing
Radionuclide testing is a sophisticated medical technique for assessing gastrointestinal motility. It focuses on gastric emptying and colonic transit time. Radioactive markers track the movement of food through the digestive system, providing insights into gastrointestinal disorders.
In gastric emptying studies, a meal's liquid and...
136
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management01:29

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease II: Clinical Features and Management

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a persistent medical condition that affects many individuals worldwide. Its clinical manifestations can vary greatly, making diagnosis and management challenging for healthcare professionals. The following is a comprehensive overview of the clinical manifestations, assessment, and management strategies for GERD.
Clinical Manifestations
GERD presents itself in a multitude of ways, with symptoms varying from person to person. The hallmark symptoms are...
142
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
532
Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management

Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) involves a multifaceted approach, including lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, and medication.
277