Exploring How Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment May Affect Spinal Fluid Flow: An MRI Study

Conditions

• Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) Effects on Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Dynamics

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - 80 Years

Healthy Volunteers

Accepted

Interventions

• Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) — OTHER
  This intervention consists of a single 30-minute osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) session administered by a licensed osteopathic physician trained in neuromusculoskeletal and osteopathic manipulative medicine. Treatment will be individualized based on findings from an osteopathic structural examination assessing somatic dysfunctions involving the head, spine, pelvis, extremities, and myofascial structures. Standardized OMT techniques may include osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine (OCMM), indirect method (IM), articulatory technique (ART), muscle energy technique (MET), facilitated positional release (FPR), tender point high-velocity low-amplitude (TP-HVLA), and myofascial release (MFR). The intervention is performed between pre- and post-treatment MRI sessions to evaluate acute changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and glymphatic-related imaging biomarkers.

Study Details

his study aims to investigate whether Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) affects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and glymphatic clearance in the human brain. CSF plays an important role in brain health by supporting nutrient delivery, waste removal, and pressure regulation. Aging and certain neurological conditions are associated with reduced CSF circulation and impaired brain waste clearance. Participants will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and after a 30-minute OMT session to evaluate changes in CSF flow dynamics and brain physiology. The study will also examine whether age, cognition, sleep quality, physical function, anxiety, and depression are associated with changes in CSF flow following OMT. The study will enroll healthy adults between 18 and 80 years of age. Data collected from MRI imaging and questionnaires may help improve understanding of the physiological effects of OMT and its potential role in supporting brain health

Key Dates

Start date

Jun 30, 2026

Status verified

Jun 2026

Primary completion

Jun 30, 2027

Completion

Aug 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment

30 participants (estimated)

Allocation

NA

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Arms

• Experimental: OMT Intervention with Pre- and Post-MRI Assessment
  Participants will undergo baseline MRI imaging followed by a 30-minute osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) session performed by a licensed osteopathic physician. OMT techniques may include osteopathic cranial manipulative medicine (OCMM), indirect method (IM), articulatory technique (ART), muscle energy technique (MET), facilitated positional release (FPR), tender point high-velocity low-amplitude (TP-HVLA), and myofascial release (MFR), selected based on identified somatic dysfunctions and participant tolerance. Following treatment, participants will undergo repeat MRI imaging to assess changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics and glymphatic-related imaging measures.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Velocity Following OMT [ Time Frame: Immediately before and immediately after the single OMT session during the study visit. ]

Central Contacts

• Daniel Cawley, DC, MS, MSHS
  706-442-4105
  [email protected]
• Adil Bashir, PhD, MS
  334-844-1816
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

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