Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017:2017:2974962.
doi: 10.1155/2017/2974962. Epub 2017 Oct 18.

Compression of the Fourth Ventricle Using a Craniosacral Osteopathic Technique: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence

Anna Żurowska  1 , Roksana Malak  2 , Anna Kołcz-Trzęsicka  1 , Włodzimierz Samborski  2 , Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz  1
Affiliations
Review

Compression of the Fourth Ventricle Using a Craniosacral Osteopathic Technique: A Systematic Review of the Clinical Evidence

Anna Żurowska et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017.

Abstract

Compression of the fourth ventricle (CV4) is a well-known osteopathic procedure, utilized by osteopaths, osteopathic physicians, craniosacral therapists, physical therapists, and manual therapists as part of their healthcare practice based on some evidence suggesting impact on nervous system functions. The main objective of the study was to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the clinical benefits of CV4 and to show the evidence supporting clinical prescriptions, guides, and advice in treating. A computerized search of the PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases was performed. Two filters were used (article type: RCTs; species: humans). The methodological quality of the trials was assessed using the Downs and Black quality checklist for healthcare intervention studies. Only six studies met the inclusion criteria, of which four were RCTs and two were observational studies. The Downs and Black score ranged from 17 to 24 points out of a maximum of 27 points. The present review revealed the paucity of CV4 research in patients with different clinical problems, as five out of six included studies investigated healthy adults. According to the results of the included studies, CV4 may be beneficial for patients with different functional problems.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of the review process according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Sutherland W. G. The Cranial Bowl. Mankato, Minn, USA: Free Press; 1939.
    1. Miana L., Hugo do Vale Bastos V., Machado S., et al. Changes in alpha band activity associated with application of the compression of fourth ventricular (CV-4) osteopathic procedure: a qEEG pilot study. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2013;17(3):291–296. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2012.10.002. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Jäkel A., von Hauenschild P. A systematic review to evaluate the clinical benefits of craniosacral therapy. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2012;20(6):456–465. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2012.07.009. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ferguson A. A review of the physiology of cranial osteopathy. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. 2003;6(2):74–84. doi: 10.1016/S1443-8461(03)80017-5. - DOI
    1. Matarán-Peñarrocha G. A., Castro-Sánchez A. M., García G. C., Moreno-Lorenzo C., Carreño T. P., Zafra M. D. O. Influence of craniosacral therapy on anxiety, depression and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:9. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nep125.178769 - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources