Interrater reliability of craniosacral rate measurements and their relationship with subjects' and examiners' heart and respiratory rate measurements

The Role of Sphenobasilar Synchondrosis in Disease and Health

Background

The sphenobasilar synchondrosis (SBS; also, sphenobasilar synostosis or sphenooccipital synchondrosis) plays a major role in the concept of osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine (OCMM) and craniosacral therapy. Previous research suggests that many individuals, from newborns to adults, present with single or multiple SBS strain patterns as a result of the birth process and other traumatic forces throughout life. To date, it is unclear whether specific SBS lesion patterns are present in altered health states and disease and how they compare with healthy controls.

Objective

To identify research that reports on specific SBS strain patterns compared with healthy controls.

Methods

A literature review of electronic databases and hand-search of publication bibliographies was performed. Observational studies of newborns, children, and adults were included if there was information on the occurrence of cranial strain patterns related to the SBS in individuals with impaired health states and a healthy control group.

Results

Of 1123 citations, 836 articles were screened after duplicate removal, and 42 articles were evaluated by full-text assessment. Three articles were included in this review, including 1 prospective and 2 retrospective studies. The age ranges of the populations studied were newborns aged 5 days or younger, children aged 4 to 14 years, and adults aged 45 to 90 years. In adults with Parkinson disease, no significant difference in SBS strain patterns between the Parkinson disease group and the age-matched healthy control group were seen. In contrast, different SBS strain patterns were observed between newborns with a range of health impairments, such as jaundice and respiratory and nervous symptoms, and children with learning disabilities compared with their healthy counterparts. However, no statistical analysis was conducted in these 2 studies; hence, results are difficult to interpret. Reporting in all 3 studies was limited; therefore, the methodologic quality of the 3 identified studies was deemed incapable of being judged.

Conclusion

The study landscape of this review highlights the scarcity of, poor reporting on, and unclear methodologic quality of research on SBS strain patterns in disease and health. It is still unclear whether and to what extent specific SBS strain patterns occur in impaired health states compared with healthy controls. Future studies should seek to improve study methods and reporting and minimize the risk of bias.

Reliability of Diagnosis and Clinical Efficacy of Cranial Osteopathy: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

In 2010, the World Health Organization released benchmarks for training in osteopathy in which they considered cranial osteopathy as an important osteopathic skill. However, the evidence supporting the reliability of diagnosis and the efficacy of treatment in this field appears scientifically weak and inconsistent.

OBJECTIVES

To identify and critically evaluate the scientific literature dealing with the reliability of diagnosis and the clinical efficacy of techniques and therapeutic strategies used in cranial osteopathy.

METHODS

Relevant keywords were used to search the electronic databases MEDLINE, PEDro, OSTMED.DR, Cochrane Library, and in Google Scholar, Journal of American Osteopathy Association and International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine websites. Searches were conducted up to end June 2016 with no date restriction as to when the studies were completed. As a complementary approach we explored the bibliography of included articles and consulted available previous reviews dealing with this topic.

STUDY SELECTION

Regarding diagnostic processes in cranial osteopathy, we analyzed studies that compared the results obtained by at least two examiners or by the same examiner on at least two occasions. For efficacy studies, only randomized-controlled-trials or crossover-studies were eligible. We excluded articles that were not in English or French, and for which the full-text version was not openly available. We also excluded studies with unsuitable study design, in which there was no clear indication of the use of techniques or therapeutic strategies concerning the cranial field, looked at combined treatments, used a non-human examiner and subjects or used healthy subjects for efficacy studies. There was no restriction regarding the type of disease.

SEARCH RESULTS

In our electronic search we found 1280 references concerning reliability of diagnosis studies plus four references via our complementary strategy. Based on the title 18 articles were selected for analysis. Nine were retained after applying our exclusion criteria. Regarding efficacy, we extracted 556 references from the databases plus 14 references through our complementary strategy. Based on the title 46 articles were selected. Thirty two articles were not retained on the grounds of our exclusion criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS

Risk of bias in reliability studies was assessed using a modified version of the quality appraisal tool for studies of diagnostic reliability. The methodological quality of the efficacy studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Two screeners conducted these analyses.

RESULTS

For reliability studies, our analysis leads us to conclude that the diagnostic procedures used in cranial osteopathy are unreliable in many ways. For efficacy studies, the Cochrane risk of bias tool we used shows that 2 studies had a high risk of bias, 9 were rated as having major doubt regarding risk of bias and 3 had a low risk of bias. In the 3 studies with a low risk of bias alternative interpretations of the results, such as a non-specific effect of treatment, were not considered.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate, consistently with those of previous reviews, that methodologically strong evidence on the reliability of diagnostic procedures and the efficacy of techniques and therapeutic strategies in cranial osteopathy is almost non-existent.

The chiropractic care of children

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to characterize the practice of pediatric chiropractic.

DESIGN

The study design was a cross-sectional descriptive survey.

SETTINGS/LOCATION

The settings were private practices throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

PARTICIPANTS

The participants were 548 chiropractors, the majority of whom are practicing in the United States, Canada, and Europe.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Practitioner demographics (i.e., gender, years in practice, and chiropractic alma mater), practice characteristics (i.e., patient visits per week, practice income reimbursement), and chiropractic technique were surveyed. The practitioners were also asked to indicate common indicators for pediatric presentation, their practice activities (i.e., use of herbal remedies, exercise and rehabilitation, prayer healing, etc.), and referral patterns.

RESULTS

A majority of the responders were female with an average practice experience of 8 years. They attended an average of 133 patient visits per week, with 21% devoted to the care of children (<18 years of age). Practice income was derived primarily from out-of-pocket reimbursement with charges of an average of $127 and $42 for the first and subsequent visits, respectively. These visits were reimbursed to address common conditions of childhood (i.e., asthma, ear infections, etc.). Approach to patient care was spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) augmented with herbal remedies, exercises, rehabilitation, and so on. Wellness care also figured prominently as a motivator for chiropractic care. Fifty-eight percent (58%) indicated an established relationship with an osteopathic or medical physician. Eighty percent (80%) of the responders indicated referring patients to medical practitioners while only 29% indicated receiving a referral from a medical/osteopathic physician.

CONCLUSIONS

The chiropractic care of children is a significant aspect of the practice of chiropractic. Further research is warranted to examine the safety and effectiveness of this popular nonallopathic approach to children's health.

Craniosacral therapy: the effects of cranial manipulation on intracranial pressure and cranial bone movement

STUDY DESIGN

Quasi-experimental design.

OBJECTIVES

To determine if physical manipulation of the cranial vault sutures will result in changes of the intracranial pressure (ICP) along with movement at the coronal suture.

BACKGROUND

Craniosacral therapy is used to treat conditions ranging from headache pain to developmental disabilities. However, the biological premise for this technique has been theorized but not substantiated in the literature.

METHODS

Thirteen adult New Zealand white rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus) were anesthetized and microplates were attached on either side of the coronal suture. Epidural ICP measurements were made using a NeuroMonitor transducer. Distractive loads of 5, 10, 15, and 20 g (simulating a craniosacral frontal lift technique) were applied sequentially across the coronal suture. Baseline and distraction radiographs and ICP were obtained. One animal underwent additional distractive loads between 100 and 10,000 g. Plate separation was measured using a digital caliper from the radiographs. Two-way analysis of variance was used to assess significant differences in ICP and suture movement.

RESULTS

No significant differences were noted between baseline and distraction suture separation (F = 0.045; P>.05) and between baseline and distraction ICP (F = 0.279; P>.05) at any load. In the single animal that underwent additional distractive forces, movement across the coronal suture was not seen until the 500-g force, which produced 0.30 mm of separation but no corresponding ICP changes.

CONCLUSION

Low loads of force, similar to those used clinically when performing a craniosacral frontal lift technique, resulted in no significant changes in coronal suture movement or ICP in rabbits. These results suggest that a different biological basis for craniosacral therapy should be explored.

The Effect of an Alternative Medical Procedure Upon Low-Frequency Oscillations in Cutaneous Blood Flow Velocity

OBJECTIVE

Compression of the fourth ventricle (CV-4) is a manual, noninvasive procedure that reportedly affects the cranial rhythmic impulse, a phenomenon recognized by practitioners of cranial manipulation, that is concomitant with low-frequency Traube-Hering (TH) oscillations in blood flow velocity. This study examines the CV-4 and its effect upon blood flow velocity.

METHODS

Human subjects were paired with 28 individual physicians for application of the CV-4, and the duration of the application was recorded. Flowmetry records tracking the course of the procedure were obtained, 20 of which were useable for intergroup comparisons. Segments of these records (control, treatment, response) were Fourier-transformed; the Fourier-transformed spectra were subtracted from one another and the resultant difference-spectra compared.

RESULTS

The mean CV-4 procedure length was 4.43 +/- 2.22 minutes. The mean frequency of the TH waveform visible in the blood flowmetry record was 7.10 +/- 2.07 cpm. The CV-4 procedure specifically affected the low-frequency oscillations in blood flow velocity. After application, the amplitude of the TH, 0.10 Hz, frequency wave increased (relative area units: control minus treatment [0.08010 units) compared with control minus response [-0.03358 units]; P = .011).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that CV-4 has an effect on the TH frequency component of blood flow velocity. The practitioners of cranial manipulation who participated in this study affected their subjects in a quantifiable manner with the application of the CV-4 procedure.

A systematic review of craniosacral therapy: biological plausibility, assessment reliability and clinical effectiveness

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this research was to review critically the scientific basis of craniosacral therapy as a therapeutic intervention.

DESIGN

A systematic search for and critical appraisal of research on craniosacral therapy was conducted. Medline, Embase, Healthstar, Mantis, Allied and Alternative Medicine, Scisearch and Biosis were searched from their start date to February 1999.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A three-dimensional evaluative framework with related appraisal criteria: (A) craniosacral interventions and health outcomes; (B) validity of craniosacral assessment; and (C) pathophysiology of the craniosacral system.

RESULTS

The available research on craniosacral treatment effectiveness constitutes low-grade evidence conducted using inadequate research protocols. One study reported negative side effects in outpatients with traumatic brain injury. Low inter-rater reliability ratings were found.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and critical appraisal found insufficient evidence to support craniosacral therapy. Research methods that could conclusively evaluate effectiveness have not been applied to date.

The controversy of cranial bone motion

Cranial bone motion continues to stimulate controversy. This controversy affects the general acceptance of some intervention methods used by physical therapists, namely, cranial osteopathic and craniosacral therapy techniques. Core to these intervention techniques is the belief that cranial bone mobility provides a compliant system where somatic dysfunction can occur and therapeutic techniques can be applied. Diversity of opinion over the truth of this concept characterizes differing viewpoints on the anatomy and physiology of the cranial complex. Literature on cranial bone motion was reviewed for the purpose of better understanding this topic. Published research overall was scant and inconclusive. Animal and human studies demonstrate a potential for small magnitude motion. Physical therapists should carefully scrutinize the literature presented as evidence for cranial bone motion. Further research is needed to resolve this controversy. Outcomes research, however, is needed to validate cranial bone mobilization as an effective treatment.