Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine, 2016/10, 13(4):eA3-eA4. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2016-0102, type of study: ,ppt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

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Keywords:

academic performance [10]
children [321]
cranial mobility [2]
cranium [85]
learning [109]
OMT [3924]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3945]
pediatrics [573]
pilot study [215]
pretest posttest design [240]

Abstract:

Background: Learning abilities are central competencies for child development and are major predictors of adjustment in adulthood. Learning difficulties affect 10 to 16% of the children population. It is commonly suggested in osteopathy that there is a link between birth trauma, cranial mobility and learning problems. Objectives: This study aims to 1) explore the relation between cranial mobility and academic performances in general children population and 2) document effects of osteopathic manual treatments (OMT) on academic-related parameters. Methods: Two classes of fourth-graders in a French elementary school were included in this pilot study. Students were assigned to experimental (n=29) or control (n=20) groups. Osteopathic cranial assessment and 15 academic parameters were collected pre- and post-intervention. Groups were compared using t-tests and ANOVA. Results: At baseline, subgroups with poorer cranial mobility showed lower academic performances in reading (difference 10,2%, p= 0.049) and in 9 related parameters (p<0.05). The OMT group improved on one I.Q. non-verbal sub-test (p=0.002) and attention span (p=0.048). Empirically, general pattern where OMT appears to reduce the gap between “cranially” blocked and unblocked subgroups in various parameters of academic performances. (e.g. attention span: relative decrease value: 123%, sd (1,16 and 1,11); p=0.019). Conclusion: For the first time, an existing relation between cranial mobility and academic performance is empirically documented. This pilot study suggests that various aspects of school performances are improved through OMT.