Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
NCT ID: NCT06570395
Last Updated: 2025-12-19
Study Results
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Basic Information
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ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
50 participants
OBSERVATIONAL
2024-07-16
2026-12-31
Brief Summary
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Research Question: Does OMT during the third trimester of pregnancy improve delivery outcomes including: decreased labor times, less utilization of analgesics, fewer incidences of meconium fluid and perineal lacerations, and reduced risk of conversion to c-section or operative vaginal delivery? Though all research has shown that OMT is safe in pregnancy, there has been conflicting data on its benefits during the peripartum period. Additional research is needed to show its utility in decreasing labor times and need for analgesics during labor and reducing incidence of adverse outcomes including perineal lacerations and conversion to c-section and operative vaginal delivery. The current study will add to the growing body of knowledge about OMT during pregnancy and its potential benefits outside of musculoskeletal pain relief.
Detailed Description
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Some OMT techniques are similar to those used by chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists. What makes it unique is that osteopathic physicians are trained to apply the philosophies of OMT with their comprehensive medical training of all body systems to specifically adapt the treatment to each individual patient. They incorporate their vast knowledge of pathology and physiology with the philosophy that the body can self-heal and self-regulate.
While OMT is most known for its application in treating pain, it truly involves holistic examination of the whole patient - body, mind, and spirit - and can be applied to any situation that places stress upon the body. It is also adjusted based on the patient's condition, age, weight, and other characteristics to yield personalized treatment that can be an adjunct to treatment for virtually any disease or condition (Roberts). Other OMT applications include relieving asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sports-related injuries. In addition to the indications listed above, there is a growing body of research surrounding the use of OMT in pregnancy and its use in treatment and prevention of complications peripartum.
The current practice of obstetrics does not often incorporate the use of OMT in pregnancy to treat pain or prevent complications during and after delivery, despite evidence that it is safe. The investigators believe there is a need to focus attention on the effect of OMT on the rates of specific adverse events in labor and delivery.
Research Question: Does OMT during the third trimester of pregnancy improve delivery outcomes including: decreased labor times, less utilization of analgesics, fewer incidences of meconium fluid and perineal lacerations, and reduced risk of conversion to c-section or operative vaginal delivery? Though all research has shown that OMT is safe in pregnancy there has been conflicting data on its benefits during the peripartum period. Additional research is needed to show its utility in decreasing labor times and need for analgesics during labor and reducing incidence of adverse outcomes including perineal lacerations and conversion to c-section and operative vaginal delivery. The current study will add to the growing body of knowledge about OMT during pregnancy and its potential benefits outside of musculoskeletal pain relief.
Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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COHORT
PROSPECTIVE
Study Groups
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OMT Intervention
The OMT intervention group will be patients who consent to participating in OMT through the Southwest Women's Clinic and Cass Community Clinic in Niles, MI.
Case Inclusion:
1. Pregnant patients, ages 18-34
2. Primiparous and multiparous
3. Gestational age ≥34 weeks
4. Delivering at Corewell Health South Saint Joseph or Niles hospitals
5. Consent for treatment or as a control
Case Exclusion:
1. Absolute contraindications to OMT
2. Acute abdomen
3. BP \>160/110
4. Unexplained visual disturbances
5. Heavy vaginal bleeding preceding delivery
6. \<34 weeks gestational age
7. Treatment refusal
8. Magnesium sulfate received for seizure prophylaxis in setting of preeclampsia w/ severe features or severe gestational HTN
9. Scheduled c-section due to prior OB conditions
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) is a hands-on approach to treating conditions that affect all areas of the body. Physicians trained in OMT (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or DO) use OMT to correct structural imbalances in the body, relieve pain, and improve circulation. It is not only used as a treatment modality, but also to diagnose and prevent disease and improve overall functioning. There are over 40 OMT techniques that all involve gentle manipulation of the muscles, soft tissues, and joints in several ways to optimize alignment, improve blood flow, restore balance, and improve range of motion ("Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy \& OMT." Cleveland Clinic).
Control Group
The control group will be patients who consent to participating in the control group through the Southwest Women's Clinic and Cass Community Clinic in Niles, MI.
No interventions assigned to this group
Interventions
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Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment
Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) is a hands-on approach to treating conditions that affect all areas of the body. Physicians trained in OMT (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or DO) use OMT to correct structural imbalances in the body, relieve pain, and improve circulation. It is not only used as a treatment modality, but also to diagnose and prevent disease and improve overall functioning. There are over 40 OMT techniques that all involve gentle manipulation of the muscles, soft tissues, and joints in several ways to optimize alignment, improve blood flow, restore balance, and improve range of motion ("Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy \& OMT." Cleveland Clinic).
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Primiparous and multiparous
* Gestational age ≥34 weeks
* Delivering at Corewell Health South Saint Joseph or Niles hospitals
* Consent for treatment or as a control
Exclusion Criteria
* Acute abdomen
* BP \>160/110
* Unexplained visual disturbances
* Heavy vaginal bleeding preceding delivery
* \<34 weeks gestational age
* Treatment refusal
* Magnesium sulfate received for seizure prophylaxis in setting of preeclampsia w/ severe features or severe gestational HTN
* Scheduled c-section due to prior OB conditions
18 Years
34 Years
FEMALE
Yes
Sponsors
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Corewell Health South
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Eric Pearson
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Corewell Health Lakeland
Locations
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Corewell Health Lakeland
Saint Joseph, Michigan, United States
Countries
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References
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Carnes D, Mars TS, Mullinger B, Froud R, Underwood M. Adverse events and manual therapy: a systematic review. Man Ther. 2010 Aug;15(4):355-63. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2009.12.006. Epub 2010 Jan 22.
Roberts A, Harris K, Outen B, Bukvic A, Smith B, Schultz A, Bergman S, Mondal D. Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine: A Brief Review of the Hands-On Treatment Approaches and Their Therapeutic Uses. Medicines (Basel). 2022 Apr 27;9(5):33. doi: 10.3390/medicines9050033.
Bodine WA. Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Primary Care Approach. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Feb 15;99(4):214. No abstract available.
Other Identifiers
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MMMC#1637
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id