Osteopathic manipulative treatment as a complementary and integrative approach to mitigate stress, anxiety, and depression: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent mental health conditions that have the ability to significantly impact individuals' daily lives and overall well-being. These disorders can lead to physical symptoms, impaired functioning, and a reduced quality of life. In light of these challenges, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has emerged as a promising complementary therapy. The purpose of this study is to determine if OMT techniques, such as myofascial release, craniosacral therapy, and lymphatic drainage, can modulate this balance by reducing sympathetic nervous system dominance and enhancing parasympathetic activity, leading to improved relaxation and stress resilience.

Method: This systematic review, conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, identified 16 peer-reviewed studies examining the use of OMT for managing stress, anxiety, and depression through a comprehensive literature search and screening process spanning multiple scholarly databases.

Results: Studies have demonstrated both immediate and long-term benefits of OMT, as measured by patient-reported outcomes and physiological markers like heart rate variability. Control groups receiving sham treatments or no intervention further support the idea that the benefits of OMT are specific and not due to placebo effects. While traditional treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy, are commonly used as management modalities, they have limitations in terms of side effects, accessibility, and long-term effectiveness.

Conclusion: This review highlights the potential of OMT as a complementary and adjunctive therapy to address mental health disorders, offering a holistic, non-invasive approach to enhance patients' well-being.

Keywords: Anxiety; Clinical trial; Depression; Manual therapy; Mental health; Osteopathic manipulative treatment; Osteopathy; Stress; Treatment.