OMT and pneumonia OMT shown to reduce hospital stay in elderly patients with pneumonia JAOA study finds OMT plus antibiotics can reduce the risk of death for the most severely ill patients. Sept. 7, 2016Wednesday AOA Staff Contact AOA Staff Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Topics JAOA Using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to treat older patients with pneumonia could lead to a reduced length of hospital stay in adults 50 to 74 years of age and lowered in-hospital mortality rates for patients 75 and older, according to an analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial. The study, published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association (JAOA), analyzed patients ages 50 or older who were randomly assigned to three groups and received OMT, light touch or conventional care only. Researchers conducted an intention-to-treat analysis of the data, which examined all enrolled participants, as well as a per-protocol analysis that only examined participants who finished the study without missing any treatments. The per-protocol analysis of the younger subgroup found that OMT decreased hospital stays by 1.1 days compared to those who received conventional care only. The intention-to-treat analysis of the older subgroup found that in-hospital mortality rates were 11% lower for the OMT group compared to the conventional-care only group. OMT also reduced the in-hospital mortality rates of those with the highest severity of illness. “While antibiotic therapy is the current standard of care, the emergence of resistant bacteria is a global threat and provides an incentive to explore adjunct treatments that can improve their efficacy,” says James Bailey, DO, an assistant professor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey. “This study should encourage physicians to use their osteopathic techniques when treating older patients with pneumonia.” Read the JAOA study to learn more about the researchers’ findings. More in Patient Care DOs vs. MDs: Do patient outcomes favor a side? A recent JAMA study explored patient outcomes following surgical procedures provided by DO and MD surgeons. Olympic water polo team physician shares insights on taking care of elite athletes Team USA physician Naresh Rao, DO, discusses many fascinating aspects of caring for world-class athletes, including mental health considerations, spirituality and the motivating power of music. Previous articleWant to add telemedicine to your practice? Here’s how Next articleAnother Road to Rio: DO serves as team physician at Paralympics
DOs vs. MDs: Do patient outcomes favor a side? A recent JAMA study explored patient outcomes following surgical procedures provided by DO and MD surgeons.
Olympic water polo team physician shares insights on taking care of elite athletes Team USA physician Naresh Rao, DO, discusses many fascinating aspects of caring for world-class athletes, including mental health considerations, spirituality and the motivating power of music.
As a Family Doc who has used OMT from the very first day we were taught this amazing modality at WVSOM, I have seen the amazing tool of our hands, change even severe respiratory illnesses and disorders into minor nuisances – IF USED! Yes, we learned to use our hands to heal the body, mind and spirit in ways NO OTHER MODALITY can – to TOUCH, to COMFORT and to HEAL the brokenness of our flesh. I am excited to see those following in the wake of my generation and the generations before me, continue to use their hands and then to share it with those who need to know it, experience it, and then to further share it! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Osteopathically yours, Joule O’Connor DO WVSOM Class of ’91 Sep. 15, 2016, at 1:58 pm Reply