American Osteopathic Association Awards $1 Million in Research Funding

Awards Seek to Broaden Evidence Base for Outcomes and Benefits of Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment

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Jul 11, 2016, 10:00 ET

CHICAGO, July 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Osteopathic Association today announced funding for nine research projects designed to evaluate the effectiveness of osteopathic medicine in five key areas: chronic diseases and conditions, osteopathic philosophy, osteopathic manipulative medicine, musculoskeletal injuries and prevention and pain management.

In total, more than $1 million was awarded by the association, which represents the more than 123,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students in the United States. DOs currently comprise 11 percent of the nation's physicians, with one out of four medical students enrolled in an osteopathic medical school.

"The osteopathic profession understands that in this period of exponential growth, we need to invest in research that objectively assesses the value our distinct philosophy of medicine brings to patients and the overall health care system," said Adrienne White-Faines, chief executive officer of the American Osteopathic Association.

"DOs take a whole-person approach to medicine and seek to find the root causes of illness. This effort is about measuring outcomes and seeing if and how osteopathic physicians deliver higher quality care at a lower cost."

Many of the projects selected for funding hone in population health issues and are intended to provide actionable information that physicians can immediately use in clinical practice, White-Faines added.

The grant recipients are:

Lead Researcher

Institution

Project Title

Mark Ronald Speicher, PhD, MHA

Midwestern University

Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine

The value of osteopathic clinical care: A multi-level analysis

Gail Singer-Chang, PsyD, MS, MA, PPS

Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

Identifying risk factors associated with declining emotional quotient traits during DO training

Walter Hartwig, PhD

Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine California

Patient experience of osteopathic physician distinctions and empathy

John C. Licciardone, DO, MS, MBA

University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

The osteopathic difference in treating patients with low back pain

Diana L. Speelman, PhD

Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine

Use of osteopathic principles for nonpharmacologic therapeutic interventions in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Jennifer Berglind, PhD

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

Use of the lymphatic pump technique as a novel therapy for inflammatory bowel disease.

Michael V. Volin, PhD

Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine

Lymphatic pump treatment of inflammation in rat-adjuvant-induced arthritis

Kendi Hensel, DO, PhD

University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Effects of osteopathic manipulation on gait kinematics and postural control in Parkinson Disease

Sheldon Yao, DO

New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine

Effect of osteopathic manipulation on balance function, and biomarkers in Parkinson's Disease

Grant periods range from 18 to 24 months.

About the American Osteopathic Association

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) represents more than 123,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students; promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

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SOURCE American Osteopathic Association