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Manual Therapy for the Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal and...
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Manual Therapy for the Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal and Related Disorders across the Life Course

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Rehabilitation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2025 | Viewed by 7393

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Christian Lunghi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Osteopatia Lunghi-Baroni, Private Practice, Rome, Italy
Interests: osteopathy; musculoskeletal manipulations; bodyworks; person-centered care
Dr. Federica Tamburella

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Link Campus University of Rome, Department of Life Sciences, Health and Health Professions, Rome, Italy
Interests: physiotherapy; neurology; rehabilitation medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal conditions that impair functioning and well-being, particularly those with comorbidities affecting multiple body areas or systems, significantly contribute to the global demand for prevention and psychosocial and functional rehabilitation. Manual therapies, such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic, and other hands-on interventions, face the challenge of reaffirming their role in enhancing overall wellness, improving movement, and alleviating pain. These therapies aim to restore function and improve the quality of life.

Currently, there is ongoing debate about the need for manual therapies to evolve traditional principles and clinical settings in light of new insights. Advances in biopsychosocial knowledge, along with perspectives from the adaptive model of health, psychoneuroimmunology, neuroscience, and enactivism, are driving a professional transformation. There is a paradigm shift towards evidence-informed and person-centered care to better address health needs and improve the quality of health services. Additionally, sociocultural influences on body representations and health perceptions are increasingly recognized as critical in shaping effective therapeutic interventions.

This Special Issue aims to investigate and showcase the latest clinical updates in manual therapies for musculoskeletal and related systemic illnesses across different life stages. We seek to promote safe and effective manual therapy interventions that support healthy pregnancy, children’s well-being and development, occupational health and safety, and interventions for older adults to manage declines in intrinsic capacity.

We invite the submission of research articles, review articles, perspective papers, and so on.

Dr. Christian Lunghi
Dr. Federica Tamburella
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physiotherapy
  • osteopathy
  • chiropractic
  • functional restoration
  • pain management
  • biopsychosocial model
  • psychoneuroim-munology
  • person-centered care
  • manual therapy interventions

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 878 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Osteopathic Visceral Manipulation on Quality of Life and Postural Stability in Women with Endometriosis and Women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Non-Controlled Before–After Clinical Study
by Małgorzata Wójcik, Małgorzata Kampioni, Zuzana Hudáková, Idzi Siatkowski, Witold Kędzia and Grażyna Jarząbek-Bielecka
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(3), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14030767 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 436
Abstract
Background: Visceral manipulation is a soft tissue manual work technique that originates from and is classified within the Osteopathic Manipulative Technique (OMT), focusing on the fascial tissue mobilisation of the visceral system. Manual therapy on internal organs is based on anatomy, physiology [...] Read more.
Background: Visceral manipulation is a soft tissue manual work technique that originates from and is classified within the Osteopathic Manipulative Technique (OMT), focusing on the fascial tissue mobilisation of the visceral system. Manual therapy on internal organs is based on anatomy, physiology and physics. Methods: Sixty women with endometriosis and pelvic organ prolapse, aged 41.5 ± 12.02, participated in the study. The women had manipulation therapy once a week for 5 weeks. The World Health Organisation Quality of Life BREF questionnaire and a postural stability assessment were administered before and after performing visceral manipulation. Results: The p-value = 0.0093 obtained in the group with prolapses and the p-value = 0.0001 in the group with endometriosis indicated that the applied visceral manipulation improved the women’s quality of life. No effect of therapy was observed on postural stability. Conclusions: Visceral manipulation improved the quality of life of both study groups of women. A significant difference was also observed when comparing the two groups for area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manual Therapy for the Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal and Related Disorders across the Life Course)
11 pages, 1253 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Posture Analysis-Based Modifications After Manual Therapy: A Preliminary Study
by Fabio Scoppa, Andrea Graffitti, Alessio Pirino, Jacopo Piermaria, Federica Tamburella and Marco Tramontano
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(2), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020634 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 551
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Manual therapies like Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and Gentle Touch Intervention (GTI) are widely employed for improving posture and spinal alignment, but their effects as measured using advanced technologies remain underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the short-term postural effects of these [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Manual therapies like Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and Gentle Touch Intervention (GTI) are widely employed for improving posture and spinal alignment, but their effects as measured using advanced technologies remain underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the short-term postural effects of these interventions using a non-invasive three-dimensional rasterstereography-based approach, focusing on the cervical arrow, lumbar arrow, kyphotic angle, and lordotic angle parameters. Methods: A three-armed randomized controlled trial was conducted with 165 healthy participants. The subjects were divided into control (CTRL), OMT, and GTI groups. Their postural parameters were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Spine3D system by Sensor Medica (Guidonia Montecelio, Italy). The statistical analyses included paired t-tests and an ANOVA, with the significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant reductions in the cervical arrow were observed in both the OMT (p < 0.005) and GTI (p < 0.05) groups, while the kyphotic angle significantly improved only in the GTI group (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found in the lumbar arrow or the lordotic angle across the groups. The control group showed no postural variations, reinforcing the specificity of the interventions. Conclusions: Both OMT and GTI influence spinal posture, particularly in the cervical and thoracic regions. GTI, with its gentle approach, demonstrated unique effects on the thoracic curvature, suggesting neurophysiological mechanisms. These findings highlight the potential of manual therapies for posture modulation and suggest future research should explore their long-term benefits and applications in clinical populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manual Therapy for the Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal and Related Disorders across the Life Course)
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17 pages, 1086 KiB  
Article
Comparative Effects of Neurodynamic Slider and Tensioner Mobilization Techniques on Sympathetic Nervous System Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Charalambos Papacharalambous, Christos Savva, Christos Karagiannis, Eleftherios Paraskevopoulos and George M. Pamboris
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(17), 5098; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175098 - 28 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1740
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the effect of slider and tensioner neurodynamic techniques (NDTs) on the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, aiming to identify which technique more effectively modulates autonomic responses in asymptomatic individuals. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind controlled trial, a [...] Read more.
Objective: To investigate the effect of slider and tensioner neurodynamic techniques (NDTs) on the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, aiming to identify which technique more effectively modulates autonomic responses in asymptomatic individuals. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind controlled trial, a total of 90 healthy participants were randomly allocated into three groups: slider, tensioner, and control. Skin conductance (SC) was continuously monitored throughout the entire 20 min experiment, while body temperature and blood pressure were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results: The SC levels significantly increased in both the slider and tensioner groups compared to the control group during the intervention and end rest period on the left leg (slider vs. control: p < 0.001, d = 1.20; tensioner vs. control: p < 0.001, d = 1.64) and on the right leg (slider vs. control: p < 0.001, d = 1.47; tensioner vs. control: p < 0.001, d = 0.73). There were no significant differences between the two NDTs on the left (p < 0.13, d = 0.89) and right legs (p < 1.00, d = 0.36). The body temperature of the slider group showed a significant increase compared to both the control group (p < 0.001, d = 0.95) and the tensioner group (p < 0.001, d = 1.48). There were no significant differences between the groups in systolic (p = 0.95) or diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.06). There were no side-specific effects on SNS activity between the left and right legs (p < 0.019) during all intervention phases. Conclusions: Significant sympathoexcitatory responses were elicited by both slider and tensioner NDTs in asymptomatic participants, demonstrating their efficacy in modulating the SNS. The differences between the two techniques were not statistically significant; however, the tensioner NDT showed a slightly more pronounced effect, suggesting that the tensioner NDT can be considered superior in terms of overall SNS effect. These findings indicate that both techniques may have the potential to enhance autonomic regulation in clinical practice; however, the tensioner NDT may be more effective. The consistent responses across participants highlight the systemic benefits of NDTs, providing a foundation for further research into their application in symptomatic populations. This study contributes to evidence-based practice by providing baseline data that support the development of theoretical frameworks and aid in clinical decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manual Therapy for the Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal and Related Disorders across the Life Course)
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14 pages, 570 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effectiveness of Osteopathic Treatment in Adults with Short Hamstring Syndrome: A Systematic Review
by Hugo Ogando-Berea, Raquel Leirós-Rodríguez, Pablo Hernandez-Lucas and Óscar Rodríguez-González
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(20), 6076; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13206076 - 12 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1718
Abstract
Background/Objective: Short hamstring syndrome is common in the general population and can lead to impaired balance, function, and posture, and increased risk of injuries. Local treatments have obtained controversial results, so it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of other types of [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Short hamstring syndrome is common in the general population and can lead to impaired balance, function, and posture, and increased risk of injuries. Local treatments have obtained controversial results, so it is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of other types of therapy such as osteopathic treatment. To evaluate the efficacy of osteopathic techniques in increasing the elasticity of the hamstring musculature in short hamstring syndrome. Methods: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials was conducted in PubMed, Medline, Cinhal, Scopus, WOS, SPORTDiscuss, and PEDro. The PEDro scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality and the RoB2 for the evaluation of biases. Results: A total of eight articles were selected. Most of the participants were assessed with the Active Knee Extension or Straight Leg Raise tests. The osteopathic techniques used were the muscle energy technique, suboccipital inhibition, and vertebral mobilisations. As for the control interventions, they mainly included passive stretching and placebo. Conclusions: The results suggest that osteopathic techniques are more effective than placebo or other interventions in increasing flexibility in adult patients with short hamstring syndrome. This effect can be explained by neurophysiological (Golgi apparatus, neuromuscular spindle activity, and Hoffmann reflex) and structural factors (dura mater, posture, and myofascial chains). Nevertheless, the evidence suggests that it would be beneficial to incorporate this type of treatment into flexibility improvement programmes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manual Therapy for the Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal and Related Disorders across the Life Course)
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14 pages, 1090 KiB  
Systematic Review
A Critical Appraisal of Reporting in Randomized Controlled Trials Investigating Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment: A Meta-Research Study
by Gabriele Zambonin Mazzoleni, Andrea Bergna, Francesca Buffone, Andrea Sacchi, Serena Misseroni, Marco Tramontano and Fulvio Dal Farra
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(17), 5181; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13175181 - 31 Aug 2024
Viewed by 2007
Abstract
Background/Objectives: In osteopathy, it becomes necessary to produce high-quality evidence to demonstrate its effectiveness. The aim of this meta-research study is to assess the reporting quality of RCTs published in the osteopathic field. Methods: The protocol was preliminarily registered on the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: In osteopathy, it becomes necessary to produce high-quality evidence to demonstrate its effectiveness. The aim of this meta-research study is to assess the reporting quality of RCTs published in the osteopathic field. Methods: The protocol was preliminarily registered on the “Open Science Framework (OSF)” website. For reporting, we considered the PRISMA 2020 checklist. We included all the RCTs, published between 2011 and 2023, investigating the effectiveness of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) in any possible condition. The search process was conducted on four major biomedical databases including PubMed, Central, Scopus and Embase. A data extraction form was implemented to collect all relevant information. The completeness of reporting was calculated as the percentage of adherence to the CONSORT checklist; the Cochrane ROB 2 tool was considered to assess the risk of bias (RoB) in the following five major domains: randomization (D1), interventions (D2), missing data (D3), outcome measurement (D4), selective reporting (D5). Results: A total of 131 studies were included and the overall adherence was 57%, with the worst section being “other information” (42%). Studies with a lower RoB showed higher adherence to the CONSORT. The “results” section presented the highest differences as follows: D1 (−36.7%), D2 (−27.2%), D3 (−21.5%) and D5 (−25.5%). Significant correlations were also found between the preliminary protocol registration, higher journal quartile, publication in hybrid journals and the completeness of reporting (β: 19.22, CI: 14.45–24.00, p < 0.001; β: 5.41; CI: 2.80–8.02, p ≤ 0.001; β: 5.64, CI: 1.06–10.23, p = 0.016, respectively). Conclusions: The adherence to the CONSORT checklist in osteopathic RCTs is lacking. An association was found between a lower completeness of reporting and a higher RoB, a good journal ranking, publication in hybrid journals and a prospective protocol registration. Journals and authors should adopt all the strategies to adhere to reporting guidelines to guarantee generalization of the results arising from RCTs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Manual Therapy for the Prevention and Management of Musculoskeletal and Related Disorders across the Life Course)
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