Is manual therapy effective in treating infant deformational plagiocephaly? A structured literature review.
Item
- Title
- Is manual therapy effective in treating infant deformational plagiocephaly? A structured literature review.
- Author(s)
- Smith, E
- Abstract
- Background: Deformational plagiocephaly refers to asymmetrical distortion of an infant’s skull caused by external forces. The condition is considered the leading cause of head shape abnormalities in infants and is suggested to be associated with developmental delays, increasing the importance of effective treatment. Current deformational plagiocephaly management guidelines promote the use of manual therapy for infants however current literature is not clear as to the extent and/or limitations of its effect. Objectives: This review aimed to critically appraise identified articles to establish whether MT is effective in treating infant deformational plagiocephaly, assessed in relation to associated cranial asymmetry reduction. Additional focus was applied to identify any optimal age for application, duration and frequency of manual therapy. Design: A structured literature review. Method: A systematic search using relevant search terms was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, PEDro and ScienceDirect databases for relevant research published between 2008 and 2019. 1100 studies were identified and filtered using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The accepted ten studies were summarised in table form for critical evaluation, using the PEDro scale scoring system to determine methodological quality. Results: PEDro scale scoring showed moderate to low methodological quality for the majority of articles reviewed. All articles showed manual therapy effectively treated deformational plagiocephaly, reporting reduction in associated cranial asymmetries. No definitive optimal timeframe, frequency or duration for manual therapy intervention was established. Discussion: The concomitant use of repositioning therapy in many of the studies, together with methodological weaknesses, lead to limitations of the validity and strength of data for interpretation and analysis. However, the overarching success of manual therapy in treating infant deformational plagiocephaly suggests further research of singular manual therapy interventions could improve the current evidence base and more conclusively answer the research question. Conclusion: This review concludes manual therapy is effective in treating deformational plagiocephaly in infants. The exact extent of effect manual therapy is responsible for remains unclear but research collectively demonstrates improvement to the cranial asymmetries associated following its use, with all severities of deformational plagiocephaly, with no adverse effects.
- presented at
- European School of Osteopathy
- Date Accepted
- 2020
- Date Submitted
- 28.10.2020 18:08:19
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 16693
- Inst-Identifier
- 1229
- Keywords
- anthropometric measurements, child, chiropractic, duration, frequency, infant, manual therapy, plagiocephaly, physiotherapy, osteopathy
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Smith, E, “Is manual therapy effective in treating infant deformational plagiocephaly? A structured literature review.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.com/s/orw/item/162