Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Length of Stay in Preterms

Effect of OMT on Length of Stay in a Population of Preterm Infants: RCT Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 4

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01544257

Enrollment

100

Registered

2012-03-05

Start date

2008-08-31

Completion date

2009-12-31

Last updated

2012-03-05

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

Conditions

Prematurity

Keywords

Osteopathic manipulative treatment, alternative medicine, complementary medicine, neonatology, neonatal care, prematurity, allied health care

Brief summary

The use of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in preterm infants has been documented and results from previous studies suggest the association between OMT and length of stay (LOS) reduction, as well as significant improvement in several clinical outcomes. The aim of the present study is to show the effect of OMT on LOS in a sample of premature infants.

Interventions

OTHERosteopathic manipulative treatment

Patients from this group received osteopathic treatments twice a week for the entire length of stay in the unit.

PROCEDUREUsual care

Patients from control group received standard care plus osteopathic evaluation only, according to the same schedule as the study group.

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

29 Weeks to 37 Weeks

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* preterm infants born at age between 29 and 37 weeks * osteopathic treatment performed \< 14 days after birth * preterms born in the same hospital

Exclusion criteria

* gestational age \< 29, \> 37 weeks; * osteopathic treatment performed \> 14 days after birth; * newborn transferred to/from other hospital; * newborn from to HIV seropositive and/or drug addict mother; * newborn with genetic disorders, congenital abnormalities, cardiovascular abnormalities, neurological disorders, proven or suspected necrotizing enterocolitis with or without gastrointestinal perforation, proven or suspected abdominal obstruction, pre- and/or post-surgery patients, pneumoperitoneum and/or atelectasis.

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
evaluate the effectiveness of OMT in reducing LOS	participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
pre-post difference in weight gain	participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks

Countries

Italy

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 23, 2026