The outcome of a short course of osteopathy for older adults with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. A single-arm, prospective feasibility study

Orchard, Daniel, Bolt, Dominic, Pinna, Thomas and Antoni-Pineda, Gabriel (2025) The outcome of a short course of osteopathy for older adults with chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. A single-arm, prospective feasibility study. International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, 58. ISSN 1746-0689

Text Orchard 2025 IJOM full article combined.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 30 October 2026. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (1MB)

Abstract

Introduction With an ageing population and limited efficacy of analgesics, alternative strategies for managing chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in older adults are required. Osteopathy is frequently used by people aged 65 and over and may offer a viable non-pharmacological approach. Objective To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a 12-week course of osteopathy in older adults with chronic MSK pain. Methods A single-arm, prospective, pre–post feasibility study was conducted with twenty participants aged 65+. Feasibility was examined across treatment delivery, study procedures, and methodological processes. Acceptability was assessed using patient-reported experience measures of care quality, treatment satisfaction, and likelihood of recommendation. Secondary outcomes explored potential effects on pain, physical function, quality of life, mental wellbeing, and loneliness, using the Symptom Severity Scale, PSFS, MSK-HQ, SWEMWBS, and UCLA Loneliness Scale, respectively. Data were also used to inform sample size calculations for a definitive future trial. Results The intervention demonstrated adequate feasibility and acceptability, with high satisfaction ratings and attrition within acceptable thresholds. Improvements were observed in physical function and quality of life. Sample size calculations indicated that 46 participants would be required in the intervention arm to detect a clinically meaningful MSK-HQ difference in subsequent studies. Conclusion A short course of osteopathy for older adults with chronic MSK pain appears feasible and acceptable, with early evidence suggesting benefits in function and quality of life. A larger trial is warranted to confirm these findings and assess clinical effectiveness. Implications for practice • A short course of osteopathy showed good feasibility and acceptability for older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain. • Six sessions of osteopathy may improve quality of life and function at 3-months when assessed using the MSK-HQ and PSFS. • Osteopathy, alongside pain education, exercise and self-care, may improve quality of life in older adults with chronic pain.

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	UCO School of Osteopathy
Depositing User:	Bridget Roberts
Date Deposited:	20 May 2026 13:19
Last Modified:	04 Jun 2026 12:16
URI:	https://hsu.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/638

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