Advance Articles

Osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) has gained attention as a complementary therapy for cerebral palsy-related symptoms. Techniques such as muscle stretching, gentle pressure, and joint manipulation have been shown to reduce muscle stiffness, alleviate stress, and enhance mobility in neuromuscular disorders. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on OMM’s role in cerebral palsy management, with a focus on its application within the five models of osteopathic approach: behavioral, biomechanical, neurologic, metabolic, and respiratory-circulatory

Most adult mental health conditions begin in early childhood and adolescence, the most common being anxiety and behavioral disorders. Early intervention can improve outcomes and may reduce the risk of developing a clinical disorder in the future. However, children may not have the communication or understanding to share their symptoms with those around them, leaving pediatric primary care providers responsible for identifying concerning signs. This paper reviews both general symptoms that suggest possible mental health conditions as well as specific correlations between symptoms and psychiatric diagnoses.

While previous review articles investigated the effectiveness of manual therapies for treating headaches, they did not focus specifically on OMT or perform a pooled meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of outcomes. The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of OMT for managing headaches associated with musculoskeletal dysfunction and to assess the associated harm outcomes.

Many studies have suggested that participation in pre-clerkship volunteering opportunities is associated with higher confidence in clinical skills, improved perspectives on social barriers, and greater soft skills and empathy. he aim of this study was to explore the relationship between volunteer hours and third-year evaluations, with the hypothesis being that these previously studied, perceived benefits of volunteerism would translate to better evaluations.

The etiology of cranial base strains (CBS) in newborns is poorly elucidated in historical and current literature. There have been few studies examining the prevalence of CBS in newborns or vaginal birth presentation prevalence individually, let alone their relationship. The objective of this review was to consolidate all historical and current research on the potential link between vaginal birth presentation and CBS in infants.

Traumatic musculoskeletal injuries may result in chronic pain and mobility limitations, decreasing quality of life, and increasing predisposition to comorbid disorders. The objective of this study was to detail the potential benefits of utilizing OMT in a trauma outpatient program for the care of injured patients suffering from chronic pain and mobility limitations.

People experiencing homelessness are at a disproportionately greater risk for developing traumatic brain injury (TBI) than the general population. There has been minimal research to evaluate the prevalence of TBI or the long-term cognitive impacts of TBI among the population experiencing homelessness within the US. This study aimed to assess primarily whether those experiencing unsheltered homelessness had a higher prevalence of TBI than those in shelter.

Experimental evidence supporting the existence of the viscerosomatic reflex highlights an involvement of multiple vertebral levels when renal pathology is present. Further exploration of this reflex, particularly in the context of nephrolithiasis, could offer valuable insights for osteopathic treatments related to this pathology. This study aimed to compare the rotation of vertebrae at levels associated with the viscerosomatic reflex in renal pathology in patients with nephrolithiasis vs. those without kidney stones.

The purpose of this study is to: (1) evaluate the predictive value of major performance measures from preadmission to the clerkship years on COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE, including the new COMLEX-USA Level 1 pass/fail only scoring and the less-studied COMSAE Phase 2 to establish a predictive model; and (2) identify optimal cutoff scores of strong predictors to advise students on their preparation of Level 2-CE.

Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has been shown to improve athletic performance by enhancing shoulder range of motion, flexibility, and balance in various sports. The present study aims to investigate the effects of OMT, with a focus on muscle energy technique, and its subsequent impact on sprinting performance in young adults.

As healthcare transforms with artificial intelligence (AI) tools offering enhanced diagnostic capabilities, predictive analytics, and administrative efficiency, there is a risk that overreliance on empirical data may undermine the osteopathic patient care. This commentary examines how physicians can ethically integrate AI systems while preserving osteopathic medicine’s humanistic core.

Necrobiosis lipoidica (NL) is a rare chronic granulomatous disease that is historically associated with diabetes mellitus. The exact etiology and pathogenesis are not fully understood; however, microangiopathy is believed to be a contributing factor. NL classically manifests as erythematous papules that coalesce into plaques commonly localized to the lower extremities. The authors present a case of NL arising within a port-wine stain, in which the NL was successfully treated with topical ruxolitinib monotherapy.

Long COVID, a debilitating condition characterized by persistent symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, continues to pose a significant public health burden. Currently, research is ongoing regarding risk factors for developing Long COVID. The objectives of this study are to evaluate a cohort of patients who followed up in the Long COVID clinic who were experiencing cardiopulmonary symptoms 8–12 weeks from initial inoculation, and to retrospectively identify any statistically significant risk factors or clinical features present.

Dermatology remains one of the most competitive medical specialties, with successful candidates often demonstrating outstanding academic performance, extensive research experience, and strong letters of recommendation. This study examines the differences in DO and MD match rates following the single graduate medical education accreditation system, focusing on the match performance of DO dermatology applicants.

Evidence supports osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) as an effective manual therapy, although it remains underutilized by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs). Understanding barriers preventing the broader adoption of OMM is essential to expanding access to it as a noninvasive treatment option, so the authors of this paper surveyed both DOs and non-DO clinicians to identify perceived barriers to OMM.

In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic became a national concern, the world of medical education was greatly tested and institutions had to act quickly to account for current capacities and enact rapid changes to meet the needs of faculty, staff, and students. This paper provides an essential comparison of the technology landscape at the COMs from when the COVID-19 pandemic hit to now.

Survey data reveal a decrease in osteopathic medical students’ identification with osteopathy, which is what distinguishes an osteopathic physician’s values, attitudes, and commitment to the tenets of osteopathy. This study aims to determine factors that influence a student’s identification with osteopathy and to precisely quantify these factors’ predictive effect on osteopathic identification while simultaneously controlling for other possibly confounding factors.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) have a high prevalence ranging between 15 and 25 % among young adults and adults globally. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the additional effect of forward head posture correction by a cervical extension traction orthotic on myogenic TMD symptoms of pain and function.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRMAs) are crucial for treatment development, and they must provide guidelines that represent diverse patient demographics to promote equitable health care. As new research and treatment modalities are being developed for geographic atrophy, establishing an equitable research foundation is vitally important to physicians as they personalize their treatment plans. This analysis aims to determine whether SRMAs pertaining to geographic atrophy are reporting equity-related items utilizing the PROGRESS-Plus framework.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social communication and repetitive behaviors. This study investigates whether MTHFR activity levels correlate with the severity of ASD, aiming to enhance our understanding of the genetic factors that influence ASD severity and potentially inform more targeted therapeutic approaches.

Clinical research plays a crucial role in advancing medical knowledge and contributing to the resume of medical students attempting to match into a residency, so the creation of sustainable and effective research opportunities within medical education is paramount. The authors describe a template that they've created to assist osteopathic medical students conduct streamlined, scalable, and cost-effective clinical research at their institution, which they believe can be implemented at other COMs.

This commentary examines the sentiments of a Phoenix-area hospitalist who feels underpaid despite earning an objectively high salary. The article concludes that true professional value transcends monetary figures, calling for systemic changes to better acknowledge and support physicians while ensuring their profound contributions are recognized beyond financial metrics.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of social determinants of health on the prevalence and treatment of asthma in Appalachian vs. non-Appalachian regions of Ohio, and how those factors affect the rate at which sinus surgery is performed in different populations.

The authors report the case of a 66-year-old male with a history of granuloma faciale (GF) and multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) who presented with a pearly plaque on the chest. Biopsy revealed extrafacial GF with a coincidental BCC, representing a rare case of a collision tumor.

Previous research has linked the manifestation of multiple chronic diseases that are frequently due to health behaviors to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Despite this, the link between ACEs and the age of type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis is scarce. As such, our primary objective was to evaluate and describe the impact of ACEs on the age at diagnosis utilizing the data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

This study aims to examine gaps in healthcare education by evaluating whether targeted cultural competency training leads to improvement in student physician preparedness to meet the needs of diverse populations.

The goal of this paper is to understand the true mechanism of the muscle energy technique for a superiorly subluxed rib treatment by outlining the treatment technique, involved structures, and other possible proposed mechanisms.

A summer research internship program was established in 2023 to improve research self-efficacy, facilitate research participation, and encourage lifelong research engagement in Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate participant research experience and self-efficacy through pre- and postprogram surveys.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a standardized myofascial and lymphatic OMT protocol on body awareness, dissociation, and mood symptoms related to anxiety, depression, and stress.

Previous studies indicate an inverse relationship between physical activity (PA) and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This review aimed to evaluate existing literature to determine the effects of PA with an emphasis on late-life PA and the minimum levels of PA for older adults.

Private equity (PE) involvement in healthcare has generated considerable debate regarding its implications for patient care, healthcare quality, and system sustainability. This Commentary provides an overview of both sides and offers policy recommendations addressing some of the detrimental effects of PE practices on the healthcare sector, to ensure that patient well-being remains the priority.

Existing studies have analyzed gender and race representation among otolaryngology - head and neck surgery (OHNS) applicants and residents in the United States. Further analysis by graduate medical degree type does not currently exist. The objective of this study was to identify and compare gender and racial disparities in osteopathic and allopathic OHNS applicants and residents.

Patients with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) often complain of palpitations, presyncope/syncope, attributable to postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This study aimed to evaluate the utility of implantable loop recorders in diagnosing and/or excluding arrhythmias not attributable to POTS in symptomatic patients with EDS and HSD.

The transition from collegiate sports to life beyond athletics is a critical period marked by significant changes in identity, routine, and lifestyle. For many former athletes, these changes are compounded by mental health challenges, particularly depression and anxiety, which often go unaddressed during this pivotal phase. This review seeks to identify the existing research and gaps concerning the described supports in mental health, particularly depression and anxiety, in retired athletes.

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with chronic low back pain treated by osteopathic and allopathic physicians in the United States utilizing a pragmatic design reflecting medical care in real-world settings, including an assessment of potential mediators of osteopathic medical care.