Osteopathy, Mindfulness and Acceptance Programme for Persistent Pain.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing OsteoMAP: an integrated Osteopathy, Mindfulness and Acceptance-based Programme for Patients with Persistent Pain.
IRAS ID
147748
Contact name
Hilary Abbey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The British School of Osteopathy
Research summary
The OsteoMAP Project evaluates a new clinical intervention integrating Mindfulness and Acceptance-based approaches of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with manual therapy for patients with persistent musculoskeletal pain. In Stage 1, an intervention consisting of six, one hour sessions for individual patients was piloted by osteopaths at the British School of Osteopathy in SE1. In Stage 2, we aim to offer the course to NHS patients referred from, and treated in, local GP surgeries.
The study aims to assess whether persistent pain patients report improved quality of life, well-being and engagement in personally-valued activities six months after a pain self-management course integrating self-care with osteopathic treatment. Osteopathy is a low risk form of manual therapy that promotes physical functioning in the musculoskeletal system. Acceptance-based approaches promote a way of thinking that encourages acceptance of unwanted experiences (i.e. symptoms which cannot be fully resolved) by recognising that emotions, thoughts and feelings do not necessarily control behaviour.
Chronic pain is a costly and increasing burden for health services, with significant psychological and socio-economic consequences, and people with chronic problems demonstrate better outcomes with multidisciplinary support. There is increasing evidence that Mindfulness is effective with a range of mental and physical health problems, including chronic pain and this study aims to help osteopaths expand their existing scope of care by offering additional mindfulness-informed pain education. Anticipated benefits include more effective patient self-management, reduced healthcare resource use, increased quality of life, and willingness to engage in social and occupational activities.
Eligibility criteria include musculoskeletal pain for more than six months, decreased well-being and limited activity. Exclusion criteria are uncontrolled substance addiction, active psychosis and unsuitability for manual therapy. All patients will complete application forms, be interviewed for eligibility, and complete standardised questionnaires before and six months after the course, with a small (n=16) nested follow-up interview study.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0828
Date of REC Opinion
28 May 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion