The effect of osteopathic care on ANS markers in hospitalized very premature infants: a randomized clinical study supported by the SCAB

Several studies have suggested favorable effects of osteopathic treatment on the maturation of the ANS (Autonomic Nervous System), which is still immature in very premature babies and subject to numerous stresses, thus reducing the duration of hospitalization, the associated costs and promoting normalization of the CNS (Central SN).

Osteopathic care could stimulate certain mechanoreceptors, promote the release of endogenous peptides and have beneficial psychological and physiological effects.

The objective of this study conducted by the University Hospital of Liège and the university neonatology department of the CHR de la Citadelle (Liège) is to compare the effect of osteopathic care versus placebo treatment on ANS markers (rScO2; HRV; SpO2; HR; RR) and clinical outcome in 130 newborns recruited from the university neonatology department of the Citadelle.

The SCAB, one of whose members is actively involved in the treatment protocol, decided during its 2025 annual general meeting to financially support this study. Intracerebral oxygen saturation data have never been tested before, making this a first in Belgium.

Ref.: cong et al.,2017; Mukley and du Plessis,2019; Cerritelli et al. 2014,2015; Lanaro et al.,2017; Manzotti et al., 2020.