RT info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis
T1 Efectividad clínica de la osteopatía. Juicio crítico de la evidencia
A1 Ceballos Laita, Luis
A2 Universidad de Valladolid. Escuela de Doctorado
K1 Osteopatía
K1 Osteopathy
K1 Osteopatia
K1 Clinical reasoning
K1 Razonamiento clínico
K1 Systematic review
K1 Revisión sistemática
K1 32 Ciencias Médicas
AB In this doctoral thesis, I have critically analyzed the clinical effectiveness of osteopathy in its three main approaches: structural, visceral, and cranial. To this end, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials published in indexed scientific journals were conducted, following PRISMA guidelines. In addition, a narrative review was published with the aim of exploring possible mechanisms of action, as well as contextual and non-specific factors related to osteopathic practice.The results obtained indicate that structural osteopathy, when applied to patients with low back or neck pain, does not provide clinical benefits superior to those of a placebo. Likewise, visceral and cranial osteopathic techniques did not show significant improvements in either musculoskeletal or non-musculoskeletal conditions. Taken together, the available evidence does not support the use of osteopathy as a first-line treatment.The analysis carried out highlights that the positive effects attributed to osteopathy are mainly due to contextual and non-specific factors, such as patient expectations, the therapeutic relationship, the natural course of the disease, regression to the mean, and the placebo effect. However, these same factors may also lead to nocebo responses, dependence on therapies without proven efficacy, or even clinical deterioration.From an ethical and clinical perspective, the use of therapies based solely on placebo effects is considered to entail significant risks: delays in the application of effective treatments, increased unnecessary costs, and the exposure of patients to interventions without scientific support. Therefore, it is important to emphasize the need to strengthen health education and evidence-based clinical practice in order to prevent the perpetuation of erroneous beliefs.
YR 2026
FD 2026
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/83356
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/83356
LA spa
NO Escuela de Doctorado
DS UVaDOC
RD 10-mar-2026