Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 29, 2026
04:29
Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
31.9K
Manual therapy modalities and depression: a systematic review
Paulyna Schulz1, Teodor Huzij2
1Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Englewood, CO, USA.
Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
|April 28, 2026
Summary
Manual therapies, including acupressure and massage, show promise in reducing depression symptoms as complementary treatments. Further research is needed to confirm efficacy across various psychiatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Integrative medicine and psychiatry
- Evidence-based complementary therapies
- Mood disorder research
Background:
- Mood disorders significantly impact daily functioning and well-being.
- Conventional treatments include psychopharmacology and psychotherapy.
- Complementary therapies, such as manual therapies, are increasingly researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effectiveness of manual therapies for reducing depression symptoms.
- To comparatively examine various manual therapy modalities as complementary treatments for mood disorders.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search (PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar) from January to April 2025.
- PRISMA guidelines followed for study selection; 97 peer-reviewed studies included.
- Studies evaluated using Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) and Level of Evidence (LOE).
Main Results:
- Manual therapies were studied across 12 modalities.
- 15 out of 17 studies (88.2%) on specific psychiatric diagnoses reported significant depression symptom reduction.
- Acupressure (100%), craniosacral therapy (100%), and massage therapy (71.1%) showed notable efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Manual therapy shows potential as a complementary treatment for reducing depression symptoms.
- Acupressure, craniosacral therapy, and massage therapy are consistently linked to symptom improvement.
- Further research is required to validate efficacy, especially in psychiatric populations.
Keywords:
depressionmanual therapyosteopathic manipulative treatmentosteopathic medicinesystematic reviewMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:18Depression: Overview
1.2K
Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
1.2K
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
1.3K
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
1.3K
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
883
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
883
01:05Long-term Depression
27.2K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
27.2K
01:03Long-term Depression
2.6K
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
2.6K
01:25Cognitive Therapy
1.5K
Cognitive therapy, pioneered by Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, is a structured approach to addressing psychological distress by focusing on the influence of thoughts on emotions and behaviors. All cognitive therapies involve the basic assumption that human beings have control over their feelings, and that how individuals feel about something depends on how they think about it. Unlike psychoanalytic methods that delve into unconscious processes or humanistic approaches emphasizing...
1.5K