Sensations Experienced and Patients’ Perceptions of Osteopathy in the Cranial Field Treatment

Abstract

Osteopathy in the Cranial Field (OCF) is an approach used by manual and physical therapists.However, there is minimal information in the literature about patient experiences of this treatment.

Evaluation of New Zealand osteopathy patients experiences of their treatment

“…The results suggest that lower SWL is associated with a lower perception of their treatment with regard to the education provided and effectiveness of the treatment. A similar association has been observed in another study with patient who have received an OCF approach (32). Further research into the relationship between presenting for osteopathy treatment and mental health complaints is required as this may also influence treatment perceptions.…”

“…Effect sizes (r) were also calculated where significant differences were observed (26). This data analysis has been employed in a previous study involving the PPM-O and its precursors (15). Cronbach's alpha was calculated as the reliability estimate for each of the individual subscales, as per Mulcahy and Vaughan (17).…”

“…A number of studies have researched the validity of this involuntary rhythm's palpability (8,9), and potential clinical uses (10)(11)(12)(13). However, only a limited number of studies have investigated the patient experience of OCF (14)(15)(16).…”

“…Originally intended only for patients receiving OCF (16), the questionnaire was later revised and condensed using both confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis (17). The questionnaire was titled the Patient Perception Measure -Osteopathy (PPM-O) and these authors suggested that it may be useful to evaluate both 'cranial' and 'structural' osteopathic treatments (15,17). In further work Mulcahy and Vaughan (15) also observed that the sensations patients experience during their OCF treatment may be associated with how those patients perceive their treatment.…”

“…The questionnaire was titled the Patient Perception Measure -Osteopathy (PPM-O) and these authors suggested that it may be useful to evaluate both 'cranial' and 'structural' osteopathic treatments (15,17). In further work Mulcahy and Vaughan (15) also observed that the sensations patients experience during their OCF treatment may be associated with how those patients perceive their treatment. Furthermore, patient self-rated satisfaction with life also appears to be related to positive treatment perception (18,19).…”