Osteopathic manipulative treatment for chronic nonspecific neck pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesNonspecific neck pain is common, disabling, and costly. The objective of the current review was to assess the effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in the management of chronic nonspecific neck pain regarding pain, functional status, and adverse events.Study selectionA systematic literature search unrestricted by language was performed in March 2014 in several electronic databases and in databases of ongoing trials. A manual search of reference lists and personal communication with experts identified additional studies. Only randomized clinical trials were included, and studies of specific neck pain or single treatment techniques were excluded. Primary outcomes were pain and functional status, and secondary outcome was adverse events.Data extractionStudies were independently reviewed using a standardized data extraction form. Mean difference (MD) or standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and overall effect size were calculated for primary outcomes. GRADE was used to assess quality of the evidence.Data synthesisOf 299 identified studies, 18 were evaluated and 15 excluded. The 3 reviewed studies had low risk of bias. Moderate-quality evidence suggested OMT had a significant and clinically relevant effect on pain relief (MD: −13.04, 95% CI: −20.64 to −5.44) in chronic nonspecific neck pain, and moderate-quality evidence suggested a non-significant difference in favour of OMT for functional status (SMD: −0.38, 95% CI: −0.88 to 0.11). No serious adverse events were reported.ConclusionBased on the 3 included studies, the review suggested clinically relevant effects of OMT for reducing pain in patients with chronic nonspecific neck pain. Given the small sample sizes, different comparison groups, and lack of long-term measurements in the few available studies, larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials with robust comparison groups are recommended.