Reporting patterns and predictors of common minor adverse events following osteopathic treatment: Lessons learned from a prospective, patient-administered questionnaire feasibility study in a UK teaching clinic

Abstract Introduction Data on adverse events (AEs) post-osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) within osteopathic teaching clinics (OTC) are limited. We explored: (1) feasibility of using part-online questionnaires to capture prospective AEs data, (2) prevalence of reported AEs, and (3) association between four a priori selected variables and patients reporting an AE at 24 h. Methods Following ethics approval, a prospective patient-completed part-online questionnaire permitted the rating of 14 AEs at five time-points over one-week post-OMT. Data were obtained from 49 new-patient consultations attending a UK OTC. We combined these data with those from an earlier identical study using equivalent paper questionnaires ( n  = 60). Frequency and severity of reported AEs were described. We explored associations between patients’ ages, gender, smoking status, plus high-velocity-low amplitude-thrust-technique, with reports of AEs at 24 h. Results Presenting complaints included pain (82%), stiffness (40%), lack of mobility (28%); regions affected included lower back (39%), head/neck (26%), and upper limb (14%). AEs were reported by 83% of patients; commonest were pain (74%), stiffness (58%) and unexpected tiredness (16.5%); mostly rated mild. There may be a weak suggestion that smoking status could be associated with AE reporting at 24 h adjusted OR 3.50 (95% CI = 0.66–18.40, p  = 0.14). Conclusion Using a part-online questionnaire within an OTC is feasible; using a checklist to collect self-reported AE data requires caution. More than half of patients reported feeling better immediately post-OMT, increasing to 73% by one-week. However 83% also reported one or more ‘mild’ adverse events post-treatment. A larger study to explore relationships between smoking status and AEs may be worthwhile.