McGlone, FP, Cerritelli, F, Walker, SC and Esteves, J (2016) The role of gentle touch in perinatal osteopathic manual therapy. Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews, 72. pp. 1-9. ISSN 0149-7634

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Abstract

Osteopathic medicine is a system of manual diagnosis and treatment. While there is growing evidence that osteopathy is effective in a range of clinical conditions, the underlying biological basis of its therapeutic effects remain largely unknown. Given that the sense of touch plays a critical role in osteopathy, in this perspective article, with a particular focus on perinatal care, we explore the potential mechanisms by which stimulation of the skin senses can exert beneficial physiological and psychological effects, aiding growth and development. We propose that a class of low threshold mechanosensitive c-fibre, named c-tactile afferents, which respond optimally to gentle, slow moving touch are likely to play a direct and significant role in the efficacy of manual therapies. A greater understanding of the impact the type and quality of touch plays in therapeutic tactile interventions and in particular the neuroscience underpinning these effects will aid the development of more targeted, population specific interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	11 Medical And Health Sciences, 17 Psychology And Cognitive Sciences
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Divisions:	Natural Sciences & Psychology (closed 31 Aug 19)
Publisher:	Elsevier
Related URLs:	https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27845175
Date Deposited:	30 Nov 2016 11:24
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2021 12:12
DOI or ID number:	10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.11.009
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/4930

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