The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 2012/08, 112(8):530-531. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2012.112.8.529, type of study: ,rct,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2012.112.8.529/html)

Keywords:

infants [211]
OMT [3925]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [3946]
pediatrics [573]
randomized controlled trial [947]

Abstract:

Background: The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in preterm infants has been documented and results from previous studies suggest an association between OMT and length of stay (LOS) reduction, as well as significant improvement in several clinical outcomes. Objective: To show the effect of OMT on LOS in a sample of premature infants. Methods: A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial was conducted on preterm newborns admitted in a single neonatal intensive care unit between 2010 and 2011. Patients (N=51) free of medical complications with gestational age between 28 weeks and 38 weeks were enrolled and randomized in 2 groups: study group (n=21) and control group (n=30). All patients received routine pediatric care and OMT was performed on the study group for the entire period of hospitalization. Endpoints of the study included differences in LOS and daily weight gain. Results: Results showed a significant association between OMT and LOS reduction, as seen in the differences between the study group and control group (mean difference, -1.787; 95% confidence interval, -3.555 to -0.0015; P<.05). Osteopathic manipulative treatment was not associated to any change in daily weight gain. Conclusion: The present study confirmed that OMT could play an important role in the care of preterm infants in the hospital setting.