title: A preliminary assessment of the impact of cranial osteopathy for the relief of infantile colic.
abstract: In this open, controlled, prospective study, 28 infants with colic were randomized to either cranial osteopathic manipulation or no treatment; all were seen once weekly for 4 weeks. Treatment was according to individual findings, and administered by the same practitioner. Parents recorded time spent crying, sleeping and being held/rocked on a 24-hour diary. A progressive, highly significant reduction between weeks 1 and 4 in crying (hours/24h) was detected (P<0.001) in treated infants; similarly, there was a significant improvement in time spent sleeping (P<0.002). By contrast, no significant differences were detected in these variables for the control group. Overall decline in crying was 63% and 23%, respectively, for treated and controls; improvement in sleeping was 11% and 2%. Treated infants also required less parental attention than the untreated group. In conclusion, this preliminary study suggests that cranial osteopathic treatment can benefit infants with colic; a larger, double-blind study is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Churchdown Osteopaths, 102 Chosen Drive, Churchdown, Gloucestershire GL3 2QU, UK. hayden695@btinternet.com
authors.forename: Clive
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hayden
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mullinger
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003085:Colic / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003448:Crying; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D026301:Manipulation, Osteopathic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D012890:Sleep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome