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Early osteopathic manipulative treatment to prevent cranial positional deformities: A randomized controlled trial
Catherine Genelot1, Valérie Macioce2, Héléna Huguet2
1Pediatric Orthopedic and Plastic Surgery, University of Montpellier, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France.
Summary
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) did not significantly prevent positional plagiocephaly or brachycephaly in at-risk newborns. The study was underpowered due to recruitment issues, preventing definitive conclusions on OMT
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Osteopathic Medicine
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Cranial positional deformities are common in infants.
- Risk factors necessitate preventative strategies for conditions like plagiocephaly and brachycephaly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in preventing positional plagiocephaly and brachycephaly.
- To assess OMT's impact on at-risk newborns at 4 months of age.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, controlled trial involving at-risk newborns aged 3-10 days.
- One group received OMT plus standard advice; the control group received standard advice alone.
- Primary outcomes included plagiocephaly and brachycephaly rates at 4 months, with blinded endpoint assessment.
Main Results:
- The study terminated early due to recruitment challenges, with only 56.1% of planned participants enrolled.
- No significant difference in plagiocephaly or brachycephaly rates was found between the OMT and control groups.
- A trend suggested fewer severe cases in the OMT group (n=1) versus the control group (n=5), though not statistically significant (p=0.09).
Conclusions:
- This underpowered study found no significant effect of OMT on preventing cranial positional deformities.
- Recruitment and follow-up difficulties, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, limit definitive conclusions.
- Further research is needed to explore potential benefits of OMT in this population.
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