Abstract
Background and Purpose
Most information regarding adverse events (AEs) following osteopathic treatment is anecdotal; empirical data are limited. We explored the feasibility of online questionnaires to capture AEs prospectively within an osteopathic teaching clinic, and explored associations between a priori selected variables and reporting AEs.
Methods and Results
We piloted a prospective patient-completed online questionnaire rating (‘none’/‘mild’/‘moderate’/‘severe’/‘don't know’) 14 symptoms (e.g. ‘pain’, ‘headaches’, ‘dizziness’, ‘nausea’, ‘tingling’) at five time-points within one week post-treatment. We recruited patients presenting with a new complaint. Additional data on concomitant symptoms, demographics, and treatment approach were obtained. Using logistic regression we explored associations between reporting an event at 24 hours and age, gender, high-velocity-low-amplitude-thrust and smoking status.
‘Pain’ (82%), ‘stiffness’ (40%) and ‘lack of mobility’ (28%) were the main presenting complaints, and ‘lower back’ (39%), ‘head/neck’ (26%) and ‘upper limb’ (14%) the commonest regions affected. AEs were reported by 83% of patients; ‘pain’ (74%), ‘stiffness’ (58%) and ‘unexpected tiredness’ (10%) were the most frequently reported. These peaked at 24, 48 and 24 hours respectively and were commonly rated as ‘mild’. There was no evidence for age, gender, HVLAT in crude or adjusted models; there were very weak/weak suggestions smoking cessation may be associated with reporting AEs; adjusted OR for ex-smokers versus never-smokers was 3.50 (0.66–18.40; P=0.14); ex-smokers versus smokers was 5.67 (0.85–37.80; P=0.07)).
Conclusion
Using online questionnaire is feasible within a teaching clinic. Over 80% of patients reported one or more mild adverse events post-treatment. A larger study may be warranted testing the hypothesis smoking status predicts reporting of adverse events.
No conflicts of interest
Sources of funding: The European School of Osteopathy.
This abstract has not been previously published in whole or substantial part nor has it been presented previously at a national meeting.
