Sleep in the Family: Effect of osteopathic manual therapy on sleep patterns of 4 - 12 month old infants described as problematic sleepers

The effect of osteopathic manual therapy on sleep patterns of first-born infants from 4 - 12 months of age with parent-perceived problematic sleep

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12615000003572

Enrollment

Registered

2015-01-07

Start date

2013-03-20

Completion date

2013-05-14

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

This case-series report of an intervention into the efficacy of osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) is a substudy of a study aimed at describing sleep patterns of infants and their parents. The aim of this interventional study was to assess the effectiveness of osteopathic manual therapy (OMT) on infants between 4 - 12 months of age who were described by their parents as problematic sleepers. It is anecdotally reported that OMT may help improve problematic infant sleep. Sleep was measured using actigraphy, parentally completed sleep diaries and the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. Measures included the total amount of sleep time (over 24 hours, daytime and night-time), longest sleep period, longest self regulated sleep period, night time wakes and daytime naps.

Interventions

Osteopathic manual therapy was administered by qualified, experienced, NZ registered osteopaths. Therapy entailed four weekly semi-structured 30-minute osteopathy treatments and consisted of a selection of techniques applied at the discretion of the practitioner. Technique choice was limited to those suitable for use on infants, including structural, visceral, cranial and rhythmic techniques.

Study design

Allocation

Non-randomised trial

Intervention model

Single group

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Open (masking not used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

4 Months to 12 Months

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

Infant with two adult parents, described by at least one parent as a problematic sleeper, and with no other children under 5 years or other adults with a caregiving role living in the premises.

Exclusion criteria

Currently undergoing manual therapy treatment Previously received manual therapy treatment for sleep issues Taking medication Diagnosed with serious medical condition,e.g. recurrent infections, asthma, obstructive apnoea.

Outcome results