Exploring How Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment May Affect Spinal Fluid Flow: An MRI Study

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Conditions studied: Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) Effects on Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Dynamics

In brief

his study aims to investigate whether Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) affects cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow and glymphatic clearance in the human brain. CSF plays an important role in brain health by supporting nutrient delivery, waste removal, and pressure regulation. Aging and certain neurological conditions are associated with reduced CSF circulation and impaired brain waste clearance. Participants will undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before and after a 30-minute OMT session to evaluate changes in CSF flow dynamics and brain physiology. The study will also examine whether age, cognition, sleep quality, physical function, anxiety, and depression are associated with changes in CSF flow following OMT. The study will enroll healthy adults between 18 and 80 years of age. Data collected from MRI imaging and questionnaires may help improve understanding of the physiological effects of OMT and its potential role in supporting brain health

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07629765

Run by

Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

People needed

30

Starts

2026-06-01

Expected to finish

2027-08-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-05

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 80. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Healthy adults between 18 and 80 years of age
• Able and willing to provide informed consent
• Able to safely undergo MRI procedures
• Able to participate in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)

You may not qualify if…

• History of severe traumatic brain injury
• Fibromyalgia
• Epilepsy
• Severe neurodegenerative disorders
• Brain tumor or brain metastasis
• Stroke or cerebrovascular disease
• Hydrocephalus
• Brain malformations
• Demyelinating disorders
• Congenital abnormalities affecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow
• Spinal stenosis
• Prior brain surgery
• Chiari malformation
• Syringomyelia
• Other spinal conditions that may disrupt CSF flow
• Manual therapy within the previous 2 weeks
• Use of medications that affect CSF flow and/or production (including carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, furosemide, thiopental, desflurane, halothane, ketamine, etc.)
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• MRI contraindications, including implanted metallic/electronic devices or -severe claustrophobia
• Pregnancy

Where it is running

• Auburn University MRI Research Center — Auburn, Alabama, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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