OMT of Back Pain and Related Symptoms during Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial;

• John C. Licciardone, DO, MS, MBA; Steve Buchanan, DO; Kendi L. Hensel, DO; Hollis H. King, DO, PhD; Kimberly G Fulda, PhD; and Scott T. Stoll, DO, PhD.
• American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2010 January; 202(1):43.e1-43.e8
• Study was done by The Osteopathic Research Center of North Texas Health Science Center between 7/2003-12/2005.

Study Design:

Randomized to one of three groups:

1. Usual obstetrical care + OMT (49)
2. Usual obstetrical care + Sham US treatment (48)
3. Usual obstetrical care only (49)

Also divided patients age and gravida status into four groups prior to randomization:

1. Age <24 and primagravida
2. Age <24 and multigravida
3. Age >25 and primagravida
4. Age >25 and multegravida

Usual Obstetric Care (UOBC)+OMT and UOBC+Sham Ultra-sound (SUT) patients were scheduled to receive treatments every two weeks starting at week 30 and then once per week from week 36 through delivery. Treatments were scheduled for 30 minutes.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment:

Protocol included any of the following: Soft tissue, Muscle Energy, Myofascial Release, and ROM mobilization.

Protocol Prohibited: HVLA and CV4

Results:

1. Mean Back Pain levels decreased in the UOBC+OMT group and remained unchanged in the UOBC+SUT and UOBC groups; but this did not reach statistical significance.
2. Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores increased over time in all groups, but the back-specific functioning deteriorated less in the UOBC+OMT group than in the UOBC+SUT and the UOBC groups. This was a significant finding.