Effectiveness of osteopathic manual treatment in the elderly population: a scoping review of clinical evidence.

Context: Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is an emerging nonpharmacological intervention utilized to address various health conditions, particularly among the elderly population. This scoping review aims to examine the available evidence regarding the effectiveness of OMT in improving pain, balance, and quality of life in geriatric patients, identifying gaps in the current research and suggesting future directions.

Objectives: This scoping review aims to evaluate the efficacy of OMT in elderly patients by analyzing selected studies that specifically explore its effects on balance, quality of life, and pain management. Additionally, this review will assess the current quality of evidence regarding these outcomes.

Methods: Selected articles from December 2012 to September 2024 focused on OMT in individuals aged 65 and older. We conducted a systematic literature search utilizing Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free-text terms combined with the Boolean operator "AND," including: OMT, osteopathic manipulative treatment, osteopathic medicine, aging, older adult, elderly, aged, and geriatric people. Databases, including PubMed, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, and others, were searched from June 3, 2024 to September 3, 2024 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Three authors (L.M., E.N., L.M.) reviewed the titles, abstracts, and full texts to determine eligibility. Disagreements were resolved through discussion. Filters included studies involving human subjects and studies published in English, Spanish, or Italian. Exclusions were made for literature reviews, protocols, commentaries, and nonosteopathic manual techniques.

Results: A total of 2,478 articles were identified; then, after removing 1,564 duplicates, 917 articles remained for screening. These articles were assessed based on their titles and abstracts, leading to the exclusion of 873 articles according to the established exclusion criteria. In the final phase, the remaining 44 articles underwent a full-text evaluation. This process resulted in the exclusion of 21 articles that were not randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 14 articles that did not meet the required outcome measures. Ultimately, a total of nine articles were included in the systematic review.

Conclusions: This study highlights the effectiveness of OMT in improving pain, balance, and quality of life in geriatric patients. The findings underscore the value of OMT as a personalized therapeutic approach, promoting healthier aging and enhancing overall well-being in the elderly population. Further research is encouraged to explore the full potential of OMT, supporting its integration as a key component of osteopathic care for geriatric patients.