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Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) and Brain Structure and Function in Primary Headache Patients: A Pilot Study

Description

Chronic headaches are associated with changes in brain structure and function that may be associated with increased suffering and disability. Understanding how Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) affects these changes would reveal new insight into how the brain processes pain and returns to normal function. Also, demonstrating these changes would provide evidence regarding how OMT causes a reduction in pain and disability, supporting the recommendation for OMT as a primary treatment option for headaches.

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Chronic headaches are associated with changes in brain structure and function that may be associated with increased suffering and disability. Understanding how Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) affects these changes would reveal new insight into how the brain processes pain and returns to normal function. Also, demonstrating these changes would provide evidence regarding how OMT causes a reduction in pain and disability, supporting the recommendation for OMT as a primary treatment option for headaches.

Exploring the Mechanism of Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) on Brain Structure and Function in Primary Headache Patients: A Pilot Study

Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) and Brain Structure and Function in Primary Headache Patients: A Pilot Study

Condition
Primary Headaches (Migraines, Tension, Cluster Headaches)
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Auburn

Auburn University MRI Center and Edward Via College of Medicine, Auburn, Alabama, United States, 36832

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * current diagnosis of primary headache (migraine, tension-type, cluster) from a healthcare provider
  • * have experienced at least one headache episode a month for the previous 1 year (or longer)
  • * age of PH onset was less than 50 years, currently taking medication for headaches.
  • * presence of headaches due to some other underlying medical condition (secondary headaches)
  • * traumatic brain injury
  • * fibromyalgia, epilepsy
  • * diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disorder
  • * history of brain tumor or cancer
  • * history of cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the neck)
  • * currently undergoing manual therapy type treatment or have a a treatment within 2 weeks of enrollment(chiropractic, OMT, massage, PT)
  • * currently pregnant
  • * have had an injection to treat headaches within the previous 3 months from study enrollment
  • * contraindications to MRI.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine,

Daniel Cawley, DC, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Study Record Dates

2026-04