Osteopathic structure/function models renovation for a person-centered approach: a narrative review and integrative hypothesis

Abstract

Objectives The construct of the osteopathic structure-function models is reported as a cornerstone of clinical reasoning and treatment processes. Nevertheless, there are no shared procedures described for their use in clinical practice. The present narrative review aims to analyze a more comprehensive perspective on the phenomenon. Methods A structured narrative review was conducted. A database search was conducted using Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed papers without specifying limits on dates and design were included. Results Twenty-five findings were reported and grouped into two main themes: 1) Debate on models and theoretical frameworks for osteopathic care; 2) Clinical reasoning and decision-making process in the osteopathic field. Conclusions An integrated osteopathic care approach based on the structure/function models represents a starting point to establish a shared osteopathic diagnostic and clinical reasoning and an evidence-informed practice promoting health in an interdisciplinary person-centered care process. The present review highlights the limited amount of literature on using osteopathic conceptual models in decision-making and treatment strategies. A research plan is required to develop a common framework for an evidence-based osteopathic practice that promotes well-being in an interdisciplinary person-centered care process.

Patient Active Approaches in Osteopathic Practice: A Scoping Review

“…As reported in a recently published commentary [ 38 , 39 ] and review [ 40 ], PAOA should be regarded as a strategy for integrating passive approaches in osteopathy with more patient-centered care and improving interprofessional collaborations. PAOA could allow patients to improve daily movements that they feel unable to perform appropriately because of their symptoms (i.e., comparative signs or familiar symptoms).…”

International Overview of Somatic Dysfunction Assessment and Treatment in Osteopathic Research: A Scoping Review

“…This fact represents an important barrier both to demonstrate the osteopathic manipulation effectiveness and to provide specific guidelines to clinicians. From another point of view, it should be considered how osteopathic medicine is traditionally characterized by a tailored approach on the single person rather than to the disease [ 1 , 2 ]; thus, a complete standardization becomes difficult, in the clinic as well as in research.…”

“…Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is a patient-centred, whole-body intervention. It is aimed at enhancing the person’s self-regulation and favor the structure-function-environment relationship by applying five models as a guide for the osteopathic approach to diagnosis and treatment [ 1 , 2 ]. Osteopathy is recognised and regulated differently throughout the world [ 3 ].…”

Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction Changes after Osteopathic Care in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries: A Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In the past years, several studies were carried out to evaluate the potential effects of manual therapies and gastrointestinal system dysfunctions [ 11 ]. One of these manual therapeutic approaches is the Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a whole-body intervention mainly focused on correcting the somatic dysfunctions (SDs) found in different regions of the body [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Osteopathic research has mostly been concerned with various clinical conditions such as musculoskeletal and neurological disorders [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”