Xianjun Jiang , Liuqian Yu , Yanfang Yan , Shuning Zhou , Qi Zheng
{"title":"The effect of exercise on fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials","authors":"Xianjun Jiang , Liuqian Yu , Yanfang Yan , Shuning Zhou , Qi Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100794","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100794","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise in reducing fatigue, pain, and improving functional status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two independent reviewers conducted an extensive literature search in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases up to August 5, 2024. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing exercise interventions with non-exercise controls in RA patients.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Nine RCTs involving 631 RA patients (358 in the exercise group, 273 in the control group) were included. Exercise significantly reduced fatigue (SMD = −0.71, P = 0.02) and pain (SMD = −0.24, P = 0.008). However, the improvement in functional status (MD = −0.23, P = 0.09) did not reach statistical significance. High heterogeneity was observed for fatigue (I<sup>2</sup> = 90 %) and functional status (I<sup>2</sup> = 57 %), likely due to variations in study design and sample size.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Exercise significantly reduces fatigue and pain in RA patients, reinforcing its role in comprehensive disease management. Further research is needed to establish optimal exercise protocols and compare them with other therapeutic options to refine RA management strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100794"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The metaverse as a pedagogical clinic: Re-envisioning human presence, empathy, and touch in digital care training","authors":"Riza Amalia","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100800","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100800","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100800"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145571585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
François Rosenzweig , Rémi Feruglio , Thibault Marin
{"title":"Palpation and its learning: A professionalization approach to acquiring a complex skill","authors":"François Rosenzweig , Rémi Feruglio , Thibault Marin","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100792","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100792","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Palpation is a cornerstone of osteopathic practice, serving both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In France, the professionalization of osteopathy accelerated in 2014, when regulatory decrees mandated structured, competency-based teaching. This aligns with broader trends in science education emphasizing curriculum academization, professional collaboration, and skills-oriented learning. Among the six core competencies in osteopathy, “Performing an osteopathic intervention” includes palpation, assessed on precision, relevance, and clinical efficacy. Pedagogical guidelines underscore the need to regularly update teaching methods in light of scientific advances.</div><div>Physiologically, palpation involves complex neurobiological mechanisms. Specialized receptors in the fingertips process shape, pressure, and vibration, while affective touch engages psychoemotional dimensions that can influence therapeutic outcomes. Targeted training improves inter-examiner reproducibility and may even induce structural brain changes.</div><div>From an educational perspective, socio-constructivist and professionalization frameworks are particularly relevant. They highlight the interplay between individual development, guided practice, and communal learning. Students benefit from sensitive training and cognitive scaffolding that fosters reflection and skill refinement.</div><div>Beyond individual effort, peer learning and mentorship are equally vital. Interactions with teachers and peers nurture shared values, feedback, and role modeling, all of which reinforce confidence and self-efficacy. The emergence of a shared vocabulary and use of standardized tools further support diagnostic precision.</div><div>Ultimately, palpation is a technical skill embedded in social meaning and professional identity. Its development contributes to integrating learners into the osteopathic community of practice. As a structured, evidence-based, and patient-centered modality, palpation continues to evolve within a broader network of clinicians and educators.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100792"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145265926","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Effectiveness of manual therapy vs conventional physical therapy with neuromuscular training in the management of knee osteoarthritis: A randomized clinical controlled trial","authors":"Shahul Hameed Pakkir Mohamed , Hani Fahad Albalawi , Gopal Nambi , Kholood Matouq Shalabi , Mohammed Obaid Albalawi","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100787","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100787","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative disorder mainly affecting the knee joint.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of manual therapy (MT) with neuromuscular training (NMT) and conventional physical therapy (CPT) with NMT for chronic knee OA.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Randomized, double-blinded controlled study design conducted at government hospitals for the period of 12 months. Sixty subjects aged 40 and 70 were randomly assigned into experimental (MT + NMT) and control (CPT + NMT) groups using the block randomization method. The outcome measures are pain, Knee Flexion ROM, disability, balance, and quality of life, which were measured at baseline, three and six weeks. The effects of treatment were examined utilizing separate 2-by-3 mixed-model analyses of variance using SPSS 25.0.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Demographic characteristics such as age, gender, height and weight did not show any statistically significant differences between the groups (p > 0.05). The experimental group (EG) showed a significant reduction in pain compared to the control group (CG) after 3 weeks of intervention (mean between-group difference 1.5 (95 %CI: 1.21to1.78). This was maintained during a 6-week follow-up of 2.6 (95 %CI: 2.31–2.88). At three weeks, patients showed a significantly greater flexion ROM improvement in the EG as well as in the six-week follow-up. Similarly, functional disability, balance and quality of life were significantly better in the EG at the 3 and 6-week follow-ups respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Our study results showed a significant improvement in the clinical outcomes following the application of manual therapy with neuromuscular training in managing chronic Knee Osteoarthritis.</div><div><strong><em>Clinical significance of the study:</em></strong> The clinical significance of studies on OA knee physical therapy for researchers, physicians, and patients resides in the potential to optimize care, reduce pain and disability, and enhance quality of life. Research shows the efficacy of exercise therapy and educational programs in enhancing clinical practice, empowering patients in self-management, and reducing healthcare costs.</div><div><strong><em>For researchers:</em></strong> Research on physical therapy for OA knee contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting targeted therapies, such as exercise therapy and educational programs. Recent studies inform physical therapy practices, creating an essential evidence base for developing and refining clinical recommendations. This research can identify the most effective types of exercises, appropriate dosages, and delivery methods tailored to various subgroups of individuals with knee OA.</div><div><strong><em>For clinicians:</em></strong> By employing evidence-based therapies, clinicians can enhance measures of outcomes, such as pain, mobil","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100787"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415781","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Garrett B. Gianneschi , Sarthak Patel , Patrick Hinfey
{"title":"A prospective observational cohort study of a standardized osteopathic maneuver for chest pain relief","authors":"Garrett B. Gianneschi , Sarthak Patel , Patrick Hinfey","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100785","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100785","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Chest pain (CP) is a common and challenging complaint in the emergency department (ED), often requiring rapid assessment to rule out serious conditions. While medication-based treatments are frequently used, there is a growing need for alternative therapies, particularly for non-cardiac chest pain. The sternal brace, an osteopathic manipulative technique, may serve as an adjunctive therapy for chest pain in the ED.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This prospective observational cohort study aimed to explore the effect of the sternal brace maneuver in reducing CP of any etiology in ED patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data were reanalyzed from 34 adult patients presenting with CP at Newark Beth Israel ED. The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) was used to measure pain levels before and after the maneuver. Patients were classified as responders if their NRS decreased.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In 34 patients presenting with CP, the maneuver led to a statistically significant average reduction in pain of 1.32 points (18.5 %) (z = 3.124; p = 0.0009; alpha = 0.01; confidence interval = 1.047). 38.2 % (13/34) were classified as responders, experiencing an average NRS decrease of 3.7 points (64.0 %). The remaining 61.8 % (21/34) were non-responders. Subgroup analysis showed decrease in noncardiac CP was 1.5 points (21.3 %), while cardiac CP decreased 0.9 points (12.7 %). No major adverse outcomes were observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This small study suggests the sternal brace provides modest effectiveness in pain reduction in ED patients with a chief complaint of CP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100785"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145415783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Parinita Anand Kusnur , Sahana HN , Mark P. Jensen , Dharmanand Balebail Gopalakrishna , Reepa Avichal Ughreja , Debasis Behera , Prem Venkatesan
{"title":"Combination of craniosacral therapy, clinical hypnosis, and therapeutic exercise for fibromyalgia: A case report","authors":"Parinita Anand Kusnur , Sahana HN , Mark P. Jensen , Dharmanand Balebail Gopalakrishna , Reepa Avichal Ughreja , Debasis Behera , Prem Venkatesan","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100801","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100801","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition characterized by widespread chronic pain, sleep disturbance, excessive fatigue, and cognitive and psychological dysfunction. The most common treatments for FM include patient education, pharmacotherapy, and non-pharmacological treatments such as therapeutic exercise. Complementary and alternative therapies (CAT) have begun to take precedence over more traditional pharmacological treatments due to their modest and associated adverse effects. Craniosacral therapy (CST) and clinical hypnosis are two CATs that have demonstrated beneficial effects on pain and other symptoms such as sleep quality, fatigue, and cognitive and psychological dysfunction in individuals with FM.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>This report describes the case of a patient with FM, presenting primary complaints of sleep disturbance, pain, breathing difficulty, and fatigue. A combination treatment plan, which included CST, clinical hypnosis, and exercise therapy was administered for 8 weeks. The outcomes measured included sleep quality, pain pressure threshold, quality of life, and breathing dysfunction, pre- and post-treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The results of the current case report supported the potential benefits of an integrative approach to the treatment of FM, involving both CAT and traditionally accepted FM treatments like therapeutic exercise, that can be provided by a physical therapist.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100801"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145571592","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Association of neurovascular events with cervical manual therapy: A cohort study","authors":"John J. Fraser , Elaine Lonnemann","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100782","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100782","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Manual therapy is frequently used in the treatment of cervical-spine conditions. Due to the critical neurovascular structures in the cervical region, there are potential risks associated.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The PearlDiver Patient Record Database was used to evaluate a cohort of patients with cervical-spine conditions between 2007 and 2011 using International Classification of Disease codes (721.x, 722.x, 723.x, 739.1). Current Procedural Terminology codes were used to identify Manual Therapy Techniques (97140), Osteopathic Manipulation (98925–98927), and Chiropractic Manipulation (98940–98942). Medical encounters for Vertebral-Basilar Artery Syndrome or Transient Ischemic Attack (ICD-9435.x), Carotid or Vertebral Artery Dissection (ICD-9443.21 & 443.24), Cerebral Artery Thrombosis or Embolus (ICD-9434.x), or Arterial Occlusion with or without Cerebral Infarct (ICD-9433.x) were assessed the same day, 14-days, 30-days, and 90-days following treatment exposure. For each event, prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated comparing those receiving manual therapy to those not.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>4,781,968 unique patients (15.9 %) were diagnosed with a cervical-spine condition, with 2,477,117 (51.8 %) of these patients provided MT from 2007 to 2011. Patients provided MT had an 11 % increased prevalence of arterial occlusion observed within 90-days post-intervention (PR: 1.11 95 % CI 1.02–1.21, NNT Harm: 27,762) and a 11–45 % lower prevalence of being diagnosed with a neurovascular complication 30-days (PR: 0.89, 95 % CI 0.84–0.95), 14-days (PR = 0.82, 95 % CI 0.76–0.88), and the same day (PR: 0.55, 95 % CI 0.52–0.59) following treatment compared to patients not treated with MT.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study presents population-level statistics on the occurrence of neurovascular complication after MT for cervical-spine conditions.</div></div><div><h3>Level of evidence</h3><div>Treatment, level 2a.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100782"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144907309","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jasemin Todri, Orges Lena, Carolina Vázquez-Villa, Juan Martínez-Fuentes, Alberto Ciferri, María Antonia Murcia-González
{"title":"Immediate effects of three different upper trapezius trigger point techniques on pain intensity and pressure threshold in students with cervical pain: a randomized clinical trial","authors":"Jasemin Todri, Orges Lena, Carolina Vázquez-Villa, Juan Martínez-Fuentes, Alberto Ciferri, María Antonia Murcia-González","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100777","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100777","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To compare the effectiveness of three manual therapy protocols (Jones, Lewit, and Chaitow) with a sham group in terms of pain pressure threshold and intensity.</div></div><div><h3>Participants</h3><div>Fifty-two physiotherapy bachelor students with neck pain lasting more than 3 days were recruited.</div><div>Outcomes: Pain was assessed with Numerical Rating Scale and Pressure Algometer, while cervical range of motion was evaluated with the Baiobit Inertial sensor.</div></div><div><h3>Intervention</h3><div>An investigator, independent of the assessment and randomization, conducted all the interventions and sham procedures. Specifically, the Jones group received pincer palpation with a 1-min duration of ischemic compression, followed by 90 s of the no-pain Strain-Counterstrain technique. The Lewit group underwent flat palpation for 1 min, accompanied by 40 s of intermittent compression and post-isometric relaxation. The Chaitow group received deep palpation for 1 min, followed by the pressure release position lasting 20 s to 1 min, concluding with the muscle energy technique. The Sham group received only flat palpation and a 3-min homolateral muscle shortening position.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Effects for all three techniques (Chaitow/Lewit/Jones) when comparing them to sham were not significant on pain intensity (−0.96/−1.01/−0.63) or on pressure threshold (−0.5/−0.4/−0.19). No adverse events or undesirable effects were observed during the study.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Immediate effects on pain intensity and pressure threshold are not directly attributable to any of the three tested trigger techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Clinical trial registration number id</h3><div>NCT05265468.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100777"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144867310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fascial Counterstrain: A methodological advancement in indirect osteopathic manipulation","authors":"Brian Tuckey","doi":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since the publication of “Jones Strain and Counterstrain” in 1995, there have been few documented methodological advancements in Counterstrain. However, over the past 20 years, Strain and Counterstrain (SCS) has been systematically expanded from a primarily musculoskeletal technique to a novel, multisystem evaluation and treatment method called <em>Fascial Counterstrain (FCS)</em>. This expanded version of Counterstrain targets dysfunction of both the peripheral and central nervous system, including somatic, visceral, vascular and neuromeningeal tissues. Its proposed mechanisms are supported by emerging clinical and pre-clinical research related to central sensitization, the proprioceptive/contractile properties of fascia, and the science of microvascular dysfunction. In addition to describing FCS's diagnostic and treatment processes, this manuscript also presents an updated theoretical mechanism of action for Counterstrain technique. Finally, for clinical context, a case report (with video documentation) is included of a post-surgical and complex regional pain syndrome patient who failed to respond to multiple medical interventions, yet demonstrated rapid subjective, objective, and functional improvement following FCS treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51068,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine","volume":"58 ","pages":"Article 100789"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145519741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}