A study to assess the quality of evidence for the existence of segmental somatic dysfunction: a systematic review
Item
- Title
- A study to assess the quality of evidence for the existence of segmental somatic dysfunction: a systematic review
- Author(s)
- Baskeyfield David J.H.
- Abstract
- The aim of this study is to assess the quality of evidence for the existence of segmental somatic dysfunction by subjecting suitable existing studies to the process of systematic review. Many consider that this concept is central to the philosophy and practice of osteopathy however, the full nature and scope of somatic dysfunction is not yet known nor how pervasive its role is in disease and individually in appropriate human function. To prevent osteopathy from stagnating it is therefore important to fully explore this area to understand the context in which somatic dysfunction should exist. The theories and history behind somatic dysfunction and the difficulties encountered in the terminology and definition are explored in order to provide a background for the enquiry. Eleven studies, six observational correlations and five experimental treatments, that fitted the inclusion criteria were retrieved from osteopathic and chiropractic literature and were subjected to a purposefully designed methodological scoring process which produced an overall score for each study. A statistically significant difference was found between the two types of study analysed with the experimental treatment protocol achieving better methodological scores. All the studies claimed a positive outcome except for one, which returned an equivocal conclusion. The results of this systematic review suggest that all the studies were generally of a low methodological quality illustrating the confusion surrounding this area and suggesting the evidence for the existence of segmental somatic dysfunction to be poor. The potential difficulties in analysing and comparing studies involving different protocols and the difficulties in carrying out research in this area are demonstrated. No conclusions may be drawn from this review as to the reality of segmental somatic dysfunction however, it highlights the requirement for further studies of high methodological quality.
- presented at
- British School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2000
- Date Submitted
- 31.7.2000 00:00:00
- Type
- undergraduate_project
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 12154
- Inst-Identifier
- 780
- Keywords
- Osteopathic Lesion.,Systematic Reviews,Somatic Dysfunction
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Baskeyfield David J.H., “A study to assess the quality of evidence for the existence of segmental somatic dysfunction: a systematic review”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 2, 2024, https://www.osteopathic-research.com/s/orw/item/1460