Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byEric Pearson

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Female

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Spectrum Health - Lakeland

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

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. Research shows that manual therapy is equally or more effective in treating pain and improving function versus oral analgesics (Bodine). OMT can decrease cost and improve function in patients with a minimal adverse effect profile. 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. 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.

Research Team

Eric Pearson

Principal Investigator

Corewell Health Lakeland

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

I am pregnant and between 18-34 years old.

I am at least 34 weeks pregnant.

I will be giving birth at Corewell Health South Saint Joseph or Niles hospitals.

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Treatment Details

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: OMT InterventionExperimental Treatment1 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

Group II: Control GroupExperimental Treatment0 Interventions

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.