&NA; Medical pain management is in crisis; from the pervasiveness of pain to inadequate pain treatment, from the escalation of prescription opioids to an epidemic in addiction, diversion and overdose deaths. The rising costs of pain care and managing adverse effects of that care have prompted action from state and federal agencies including the DOD, VHA, NIH, FDA and CDC. There is pressure for pain medicine to shift away from reliance on opioids, ineffective procedures and surgeries toward comprehensive pain management that includes evidence‐based nonpharmacologic options. This White Paper details the historical context and magnitude of the current pain problem including individual, social and economic impacts as well as the challenges of pain management for patients and a healthcare workforce engaging prevalent strategies not entirely based in current evidence. Detailed here is the evidence‐base for nonpharmacologic therapies effective in postsurgical pain with opioid sparing, acute non‐surgical pain, cancer pain and chronic pain. Therapies reviewed include acupuncture therapy, massage therapy, osteopathic and chiropractic manipulation, meditative movement therapies Tai chi and yoga, mind body behavioral interventions, dietary components and self‐care/self‐efficacy strategies. Transforming the system of pain care to a responsive comprehensive model necessitates that options for treatment and collaborative care must be evidence‐based and include effective nonpharmacologic strategies that have the advantage of reduced risks of adverse events and addiction liability. The evidence demands a call to action to increase awareness of effective nonpharmacologic treatments for pain, to train healthcare practitioners and administrators in the evidence base of effective nonpharmacologic practice, to advocate for policy initiatives that remedy system and reimbursement barriers to evidence‐informed comprehensive pain care, and to promote ongoing research and dissemination of the role of effective nonpharmacologic treatments in pain, focused on the short‐ and long‐term therapeutic and economic impact of comprehensive care practices.
The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) is a broadly used instrument developed to measure empathy in the context of health professions education and patient care. Evidence in support of psychometrics of the JSE has been reported in health professions students and practitioners with the exception of osteopathic medical students. This study was designed to examine measurement properties, underlying components, and latent variable structure of the JSE in a nationwide sample of first-year matriculants at U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine, and to develop a national norm table for the assessment of JSE scores. A web-based survey was administered at the beginning of the 2017–2018 academic year which included the JSE, a scale to detect “good impression” responses, and demographic/background information. Usable surveys were received from 6009 students enrolled in 41 college campuses (median response rate = 92%). The JSE mean score and standard deviation for the sample were 116.54 and 10.85, respectively. Item-total score correlations were positive and statistically significant (p < 0.01), and Cronbach α = 0.82. Significant gender differences were observed on the JSE scores in favor of women. Also, significant differences were found on item scores between top and bottom third scorers on the JSE. Three factors of Perspective Taking, Compassionate Care, and Walking in Patient’s Shoes emerged in an exploratory factor analysis by using half of the sample. Results of confirmatory factor analysis with another half of the sample confirmed the 3-factor model. We also developed a national norm table which is the first to assess students’ JSE scores against national data.
(W. Haque); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland (Ahmadzada); Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, Missouri (Janumpally); Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas (E. Haque); William Carey College of Osteopathic Medicine, Hattiesburg, Mississippi (Allahrakha); Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York (Desai); Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas (Hsiehchen).
Objective To summarise the available clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for different conditions. Design Overview of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs). PROSPERO CRD42020170983. Data sources An electronic search was performed using seven databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, JBI, Prospero and Cochrane Library, from their inception until November 2021. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies SRs and MAs of randomised controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of OMT for any condition were included. Data extraction and synthesis The data were independently extracted by two authors. The AMSTAR-2 tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the SRs and MAs. The overview was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Results The literature search revealed nine SRs or MAs conducted between 2013 and 2020 with 55 primary trials involving 3740 participants. The SRs reported a wide range of conditions including acute and chronic non-specific low back pain (NSLBP, four SRs), chronic non-specific neck pain (CNSNP, one SR), chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP, one SR), paediatric (one SR), neurological (primary headache, one SR) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, one SR). Although with a different effect size and quality of evidence, MAs reported that OMT is more effective than comparators in reducing pain and improving functional status in acute/chronic NSLBP, CNSNP and CNCP. Due to small sample size, presence of conflicting results and high heterogeneity, questionable evidence existed on OMT efficacy for paediatric conditions, primary headache and IBS. No adverse events were reported in most SRs. According to AMSTAR-2, the methodological quality of the included SRs was rated low or critically low. Conclusion Based on the currently available SRs and MAs, promising evidence suggests the possible effectiveness of OMT for musculoskeletal disorders. Limited and inconclusive evidence occurs for paediatric conditions, primary headache and IBS. Further well-conducted SRs and MAs are needed to confirm and extend the efficacy and safety of OMT.
The aim is to present for osteopaths the modern ideas about somatic dysfunctions as potentially reversible structural and functional disorders in the human body, and about its diagnostics and the correction possibilities.A specifi c subject of osteopathic infl uence is a group of palpable phenomena, which are called somatic dysfunctions. Somatic dysfunctions are included in the International Classifi cation of Diseases, Injuries and Conditions Affecting Health, 10th Revision (ICD-10). Somatic dysfunction (SD) is a potentially reversible structural and functional disorder in tissues and organs, manifested by palpation-determined limitations of various types of movements and mobility. Reversibility is one of the main characteristics of SD, associated with the ability to obtain the effect of changing/eliminating the identifi ed disorders in response to various methods of osteopathic correction. Impaired mobility, that is, SD, can have several components that can be combined with each other and have different degrees of severity — biomechanical, hydrodynamic (rhythmogenic) and neurodynamic. SD can manifest itself at the global, regional and local levels, and can have an acute or chronic character. The leading role in the pathogenesis of SD formation belongs to the connective tissue. Based on anamnestic data, physical examination, as well as using the algorithm of palpation diagnostic techniques, osteopaths determine the relative position of the body structures and their symmetry, as well as the qualitative state of the tissues. In addition to the generally accepted formulation of the diagnosis, an osteopathic conclusion includes the indication of biomechanical, rhythmogenic and neurodynamic disorders at the global, regional and local levels, as well as the dominant SD, the correction of which will be the logical ultimate goal of the osteopathic session. In accordance with the current regulatory framework, the osteopathic physician at the appointment fi lls out the form «Primary examination by an osteopathic physician» or the form «Examination by an osteopathic physician (observation in dynamics)». These medical documents are an insert in the Registration Form № 025/u, approved by the order of the Ministry of Health of Russia dated December 15, 2014 № 834n. The restoration of mobility is the goal of osteopathic treatment techniques applying and leads to the normalization of the functional state of tissues. The practice of osteopathy is to release the elements of the musculoskeletal system, internal organs, to restore the proper functioning of all body systems, including the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems. In the absence of contraindications (absolute or relative), the treatment regimen is determined individually in accordance with the issued osteopathic conclusion, including the defi ning of the number, nature (type) of techniques and the sequence of their use in a given session. The effectiveness of osteopathic correction of SD has been proven for various diseases and conditions, a list of which is also presented in the Recommendations.Conclusion. The implementation of the Clinical Recommendations can contribute to the timely diagnosis and improve the quality of medical care for patients with SD.
Anthony Modica, Rachel A. Ranson, Tyler K. Williamson
et al.
Introduction: Orthopaedic surgery continues to be one of the most competitive specialties to match into as a medical student, particularly for osteopathic medical students. Therefore, in this study, we sought to examine the prevalence of osteopathic students (DO) matching into orthopaedic surgery at traditional Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited programs (former allopathic residency programs) in recent years. Methods: A retrospective review of National Residency Match Program annual reports and Association of American Medical Colleges's Electronic Residency Application Service Statistic reports were performed to determine the number of applications and match rates among osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) medical students into orthopaedic surgery from 2019 to 2023. Data on the degree type of current residents at all ACGME-accredited residency programs were identified. Results: During the analyzed study period of 2019 to 2023, there were 3,473 (74.5%) allopathic students and 571 (59.9%) osteopathic students who successfully matched into orthopaedic surgery. This match rate for allopathic students was 74.5% compared with 59.9% for osteopathic students. Of the 3,506 medical students who hold postgraduate orthopaedic surgery positions at former allopathic programs over the past 5 years, only 58 (1.7%) hold an osteopathic degree. Of the 560 medical students who hold postgraduate orthopaedic surgery positions at former osteopathic programs over the past 5 years, 47 (8.4%) hold an allopathic degree. The match rate of allopathic students at former osteopathic programs is significantly higher than the match rate of osteopathic students at former allopathic programs. Conclusions: Osteopathic students continue to match into orthopaedic surgery at lower rates than their allopathic counterparts. In addition, there remains a consistent and low number of osteopathic students matching into former allopathic programs. Allopathic students also have a higher likelihood of matching into former osteopathic programs when compared with osteopathic students matching into previous allopathic orthopaedic surgery programs.
Peter B. White, Joshua R. Giordano, Matthiew M Chen
et al.
Introduction: Orthopaedic surgery is well recognized as one of the most competitive and least diverse medical specialties. Despite efforts toward improving diversity, studies have shown that gender and racial/ethnic disparities continue to persist in orthopaedic graduate medical education. Therefore, we sought to identify the match rates of traditionally under-represented groups within orthopaedic surgery—female candidates, racial and ethnic minorities under-represented in medicine (URiM), and osteopathic physicians—compared with their application rates. Methods: A retrospective review of the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application data from the 2017 to 2021 application cycles was performed, and the total number of applicants, sex, race/ethnicity, and degree type of all students applying for orthopaedic surgery were recorded. A separate database, the Orthopaedic Residency Information Network (ORIN), which is a database self-reported by residency programs to provide information to applicants, was also queried to identify the total number of residents, sex, race/ethnicity, and degree type of all current residents in June 2022, corresponding to those residents who matched in 2017 to 2021. Results: From the ERAS application data, a total of 7,903 applicants applied to orthopaedic surgery during the study period. A total of 1,448 applicants (18%) were female, 1,307 (18%) were URiM, and 1,022 (15%) were from an osteopathic medical school. Based on the ORIN database, 688 of 3,574 residents (19%) were female, 1,131 of 7,374 (19%) were URiM, and 1,022 of US medical school graduates (12%) had a DO degree. The application and match rates were not significantly different for female (p = 0.249) and URiM (0.187) applicants; however, there was a significant difference in the application and match rates (15% vs 12%; p = 0.035) for US medical graduates with a DO degree. Conclusion: In recent years, there has been a significant and necessary push to increase diversity in the field of orthopaedic surgery. From 2017 to 2021, match rates of female and URiM candidates are reflective of their application rates. Osteopathic applicants in orthopaedic surgery have a lower match rate than their allopathic counterparts. Level of Evidence: III
Angela Ho, A. Auerbach, Jantzen J. Faulkner
et al.
Abstract Context Despite the increase of importance placed on research, both by residency program directors and the medical field at large, osteopathic medical students (OMS) have significantly fewer research experiences than United States (U.S.) allopathic medical students and non-U.S. international medical graduates. However, few studies have addressed this long-standing discrepancy, and none directly have focused on osteopathic medical students to assess their unique needs. The literature would benefit from identifying the barriers osteopathic medical students encounter when participating in research and understanding the currently available resources. Objectives To assess the barriers that OMS face when seeking research opportunities, identify resources currently available to osteopathic medical students at their respective schools, and investigate factors that contribute to an osteopathic medical student’s desire to pursue research opportunities. Additionally, to investigate osteopathic medical students’ confidence in research methodology. Methods A survey was created by the investigators and administered to participants over a three-month period via a GoogleForm. Research participants were surveyed for demographic information, as well as their involvement in research projects in the past, mentor availability, institutional resources, motivation to participate in research, individual barriers to participation, and confidence in their ability to do independent research. Responses were de-identified and analyzed using Microsoft Excel functions to count data and calculate percentages, as well as Pearson’s chi square analysis. Results After relevant exclusion, 668 responses were included. Of the students surveyed, 85.9% (574) indicated they currently and/or in the past were involved in research. More than half of the respondents that are not currently involved in research are interested in pursuing it (86.9%; 344). The primary barriers students reported facing include lack of time (57.8%; 386), feeling overwhelmed and unsure how to start (53.4%; 357), and lack of access to research (53%; 354). 34.7% (232) of students stated they either did not have resources from their school or were unsure whether these resources were available. The two most cited motivations to pursue research included boosting their residency application and/or interest in the area of study. Male gender and current research were associated with reported confidence in research ( [4, n=662]=10.6, p<0.05). Conclusions Findings from this study provide a synopsis of the barriers to research opportunities among osteopathic medical students. Notably, ⅓ of OMSs reported an absence or unawareness of available research resources at their osteopathic medical schools.
Giacomo Consorti, Carmine Castagna, M. Tramontano
et al.
Abstract Background: Palpatory findings are considered a central element of osteopathic practice, especially when associated with a patient’s altered regulative functions than with named somatic dysfunctions. Although osteopathic theories for somatic dysfunction could be plausible, the clinical applicability of the concept is debated, especially because it is largely related to simple cause–effect models of osteopathic care. In contrast to a linear kind of diagnosis of a “tissue as a producer of symptoms”, this perspective article aims to provide a conceptual and operational framework in which the somatic dysfunction evaluation process is seen as a neuroaesthetic (en)active encounter between osteopath and patient. Subsections relevant to the subject: To summarize all concepts of the hypothesis, the enactive neuroaesthetics principles are proposed as a critical foundation for the osteopathic assessment and treatment of the person, specifically addressing a new paradigm for somatic dysfunction. Conclusions, and future directions: The present perspective article represents a proposition to blend technical rationality informed by neurocognitive and social sciences, and professional artistry clinical experience informed by traditional tenets, to overcome the controversy around somatic dysfunction, rather than dismissing the concept.
The future of the pediatric workforce has been the subject of significant dialogue in the pediatric community and generated much discussion in the academic literature. There are significant concerns regarding the ability of pediatricians to meet the growing demands of our pediatric population. Over the past 5 years, there has been a decline in the percentage of doctor of osteopathic medicine students who pursue a career in pediatrics but an equally important increase in the number of pediatric positions that are filled by doctor of osteopathic medicine students and international medical graduates. Although there has been an increase in the number of pediatric positions offered in the National Resident Matching Program, the last 4 years have seen a significant increase in the number of unfilled pediatric positions. A number of pediatric subspecialties struggle to fill their training positions, and those with low match rates may have 20% to 40% fewer applicants than positions. The pediatric vision for the future must include a commitment to a comprehensive strategic planning process with the many organizations involved across the multiple stages of the educational continuum. It is time to elucidate and address the questions raised by the workforce data. Developing solutions to these questions will require a careful planning process and a thoughtful analysis of the pediatric workforce data. Establishing this as an important priority will require a major collaborative effort between pediatric academic and professional organizations, but the future benefit to the nation’s children will be significant. BrightcoveDefaultPlayer 10.1542/6243117503001 PEDS-VA_2020-013292 Video Abstract
The Department of Entomology, AgBioResearch, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University provided funding to M. E. Benbow. P. S. Barton. was funded by an Australian Research Council grant (DE150100026). This work was partially funded by a grant from the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice awarded (2014- DN-BX-K008) to H. R. Jordan, M. E. Benbow, and J. L. Pechal. Contributions of J. C. B. were partially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under award # DE-EM0004391 to the University of Georgia Research Foundation and M. S. Strickland was partially supported by a National Science Foundation grant (1556753).
César Azevedo, Clara Pereira, Fábio Oliveira
et al.
Introdução: O sistema imunitário apresenta funções vitais de proteção do organismo através de vários órgãos, células e proteínas. Existem vários fatores que influenciam a imunidade, sendo que o papel da intervenção osteopática, potenciando e estimulando a sua resposta, tem sido mencionado como promissor coadjuvante não-farmacêutico de baixo custo que visa modular a secreção de citocinas. Objetivos: Realizar uma análise crítica da qualidade metodológica, sobre a intervenção osteopática no sistema imunitário, em adultos, considerando dados laboratoriais de citocinas. Material e Métodos: Foi realizada uma pesquisa na PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection e EBSCOhost Datasets (Academic Search Complete). Foram incluídos ensaios clínicos randomizados em adultos saudáveis ou com patologias associadas, verificando a influência da intervenção osteopática na atividade do sistema imunitário, através de concentrações laboratoriais de citocinas no organismo. Após a seleção dos estudos, os dados foram extraídos e compilados. Avaliou-se a qualidade metodológica com Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Cada etapa foi analisada de forma independente por dois revisores, com auxílio de um terceiro revisor em caso de discordâncias. Resultados: Foram escolhidos 3 estudos para revisão, num total de 751 artigos identificados, após uma pesquisa realizada até 19 de abril de 2022. Um estudo, classificado com adequada qualidade metodológica, demonstrou redução da concentração sérica do fator de necrose tumoral (TNF)-α em indivíduos com dor lombar crónica inespecífica após serem submetidos a tratamento manipulativo osteopático (TMO) (p = 0,03), reforçada pela diferença estatisticamente significativa na comparação entre os grupos experimental e controle (p = 0,04). Nos restantes dois estudos, não foi possível concluir sobre a sua aplicabilidade clínica, face à baixa qualidade metodológica. Num estudo obteve-se uma redução significativa no TNF-α sérico (p = 0,03), no entanto no segundo estudo considerado, os níveis basais de citocinas não diferiram significativamente entre os grupos. Conclusões: Embora seja sugerido um efeito do TMO na redução dos níveis séricos de TNF-α, os estudos incluídos não são conclusivos quanto à influência da intervenção osteopática sobre o sistema imunitário, considerando os dados laboratoriais de citocinas, sobretudo devido à qualidade metodológica propensa a vieses.
Andreas Mamilos, Charalambos Matzaroglou, Gerrit S. Maier
et al.
Vitamin D plays a pivotal role in calcium metabolism and bone mineralization. Sufficient vitamin D levels are important for the health and functionality of the musculoskeletal system. Hypovitaminosis D is a phenomenon affecting orthopedic patients worldwide. This study researched whether most orthopedic patients in two different cities of different countries had hypovitaminosis D, whether there was a correlation between sunshine hours and vitamin D serum levels, and whether hours of sunshine alone were enough to achieve vitamin D sufficiency among orthopedic patients regardless of their activities. The vitamin D serum levels of 500 orthopedic patients in Regensburg and 500 in Patras were assessed, in addition to their medical histories. The mean sunshine hours throughout the year were also calculated. Both the German and Greek groups showed hypovitaminosis D. Older patients were more affected. Although there were more hours of sunshine in Greece, Greek orthopedic patients also showed hypovitaminosis D. Hypovitaminosis D affects orthopedic patients independent of their latitude. Supplementation of vitamin D may be considered among orthopedic patients to achieve sufficient levels in serum. Sufficient vitamin D levels may be helpful for the treatment of orthopedic patients, reduce the negative effects of operations or postoperational settings.
The present randomised placebo controlled trial explored the extent to which osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) affects brain activity, particularly the insula, during both an “interoceptive awareness” and “exteroceptive awareness” task in a sample of 32 right-handed adults with chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) randomly assigned to either the OMT or sham group. Patients received 4 weekly sessions and fMRI was performed at enrolment (T0), immediately after the first session (T1) and at 1 month (T2). The results revealed that the OMT produced a distinct and specific reduction in BOLD response in specific brain areas related to interoception, i.e., bilateral insula, ACC, left striatum and rMFG. The observed trend across the three time points appears uncharacteristic. At T1, a marginal increase of the BOLD response was observed in all the above-mentioned areas except the rMFG, which showed a decrease in BOLD response. At T2, the response was the opposite: areas related to interoception (bilateral insula and ACC) as well as the rMFG and left striatum demonstrated significant decreased in BOLD response. The findings of this study provide an insight into the effects of manual therapies on brain activity and have implications for future research in the field.