Craniosacral Research Blog
A systematic review to evaluate the clinical benefits of craniosacral therapy.
A 2012 review of available literature regarding CST supporting its potential efficacy. “A previously conducted systematic review did not obtain valid scientific evidence that CST was beneficial to patients…. This review revealed the paucity of CST research in patients with different clinical pathologies. CST assessment is feasible in RCTs and has the potential of providing valuable outcomes to further support clinical decision making. However, due to the current moderate methodological quality of the included studies, further research is needed.”
References:
Research: Anne Jäkel, Philip von Hauenschild. “A systematic review to evaluate the clinical benefits of craniosacral therapy”. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. Vol 20. Issue 6, 2012.
Craniosacral Still Point Technique Exploring its Effects in individuals with Dementia
Craniosacral still point technique (CSPT) used for 9 older adults with dementia to determine effects. “Findings indicated a statistically significant reduction in M-CMAI total and subscale scores during the intervention period. This reduction continued during post-intervention for subscale scores of physical non-aggression and verbal agitation.”
References:
Research: Linda A. Gardner, PhD, RN; Laura K. Hart, PhD, RN; and M Bridget Zimmerman. PhD “Craniosacral Still Point Technique Exploring its Effects in individuals with Dementia”. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. Vol 34. No. 3, 2008
Temporal bone misalignment and motion asymmetry as a cause of vertigo: the craniosacral model.
2009 database search for articles on cranial bone misalignment and vertigo using the following keywords: “vertigo diagnosis and treatment, craniosacral therapy, temporal bones, cranial bone mobility, Upledger, and temporomandibular disorders.” The articles found and evaluated suggest “that craniosacral therapy is a powerful evaluative and treatment modality for vertigo patients who have not found relief from medical treatments.”
References:
Research: Christine DC. Temporal bone misalignment and motion asymmetry as a cause of vertigo: the craniosacral model. Altern Ther Health Med. 15(6):38-42, 2009.
The Impact of Acupuncture and Craniosacral Therapy Interventions on Clinical Outcomes in Adults With Asthma
2007 study combining craniosacral therapy and acupuncture as adjunct therapies for adult asthma. Study findings suggest: “When treatment was compared with the control group, statistically treatment was significantly better than the control group in improving asthma quality of life, whereas reducing medication use with pulmonary function test results remained the same. However, the combination of acupuncture and craniosacral treatment was not superior to each therapy alone.”
References:
Research: Mehi-Madrona L, Kigler B, Silverman S, Lynton H, Merrell W, “The impact of acupuncture and craniosacral therapy interventions on clinical outcomes in adults with asthma”. Explore (NY). 2007 Jan-Feb; 3(1) :28-36.
Effects of craniosacral therapy as adjunct to standard treatment for pelvic girdle pain in pregnant women: a multicenter, single blind, randomized controlled trial
2013 randomized, multicenter, single blind, controlled trial conducted in Sweden regarding the effects of craniosacral therapy as adjunct therapy to standard treatment for pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain. The trail suggests that “Lower morning pain intensity and less deteriorated function was seen after craniosacral therapy in conjunction with standard treatment compared with standard treatment alone, but no effects regarding evening pain and sick-leave.”
References:
Research: Elden H, Östgaard H-C, Glantz A, Marciniak P, Linnér A-C, Olsén MF. Effects of craniosacral therapy as adjunct to standard treatment for pelvic girdle pain in pregnant women: a multicenter, single blind, randomized controlled trial. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2013; 92:775–782.
The use of craniosacral therapy in a physically-impaired population in a disability service in Southern Ireland
Questionnaire completed by 46 families of physically-impaired children between 0-18: “Our study shows that families perceive improvements in all areas of daily functioning after using CST”
References:
Research: McManus Vicki and Gliksten Maggie. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. November 2007, 13(9): 929-930. doi:10.1089/acm.2007.0521.
Is Craniosacral Therapy Effective for Migraine? Tested with HIT-6 Questionnaire.
2012 HIT-6 Questionnaire completed by twenty participants, experiencing migraines at least twice a month, while receiving six craniosacral treatments over the span of four weeks. Results of the questionnaire indicated that “Immediately after treatments and one month afterwards there was significant lowering in HIT-6 scorings compared with prior to treatment.”
References:
Research: Thuridur Solveig Arnadottir, Arun K. Sigurdardottir. Is craniosacral therapy effective for migraine? Tested with HIT-6 Questionnaire. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, Volume 19, Issue 1, February 2013, Pages 11–14.
Influence of Craniosacral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia
This 2011 study looks at the effects of craniosacral therapy on fibromyalgia patients, showing that “at 6 months after a 25-week treatment period, patients in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in their levels of state anxiety, trait anxiety, pain, quality of life and Pittsburgh sleep quality index.”
References:
Research: Guillermo A. Matarán-Peñarrocha, Adelaida María Castro-Sánchez, Gloria Carballo García, Carmen Moreno-Lorenzo, Tesifón Parrón Carreño, and María Dolores Onieva Zafra, “Influence of Craniosacral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2011, Article ID 178769, 9 pages, 2011. doi:10.1093/ecam/nep125
Multipractitioner Upledger CranioSacral Therapy: descriptive outcome study 2007-2008
2007-2008 study looks at whether Upledger-style craniosacral has any effect on health conditions treated in age ranges of neonates to 68 years old. Of 157 patients, “outcome by diagnostic groups suggested that UCST is particularly effective for patients with headaches and migraine, neck and back pain, anxiety and depression, and unsettled babies.”
References:
Research: Harrison RE, Page JS: J. Altern Complement Med Jan; 17 (1): 13-7, 2011. Epub 2011 Jan 9. Harrison RE. Page JS. General Practice, National Health Service, Edinburgh, UK. rachelharrison@onetel.com.
Image: Patrick J. Lynch: /
The Effects of CranioSacral Therapy on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptomology in Vietnam Combat Veterans
“The Upledger Institute has provided two week intensive treatment for Vietnam veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorders diagnosed by the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) medical division. These patients received psychological evaluation tests at the times of entry and exit into and out of the program. The intensive treatment was about six-seven hours per day for eight full days, with approximately three-four hours on the first and last days of the program. Patients were initially tested using the Mississippi scale for combat related PTSD, Trauma Symptom Inventory, Quality of Life Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale as methods for evaluation of trauma. The participants showed the following results obsessive compulsive scores dropped from 86th percentile to 46th, depression from 69th to 27th, anxiety from 79th to 42nd, paranoia from 84th to 62nd. The results obtained strongly suggest that PTSD may be more successfully treated when the therapy includes corrections of the Craniosacral system. and conscious-non-conscious integration.”
References:
Research: Upledger, John E., D.O., FAAO., The effects of CranioSacral Therapy on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptomology in Vietnam combat veterans. Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine, vol 11, No 2 pp. 123 – 143, April 2000
Links and Resources
The most comprehensive online platform of craniosacral research to date right now is: http://www.craniosacral.co.uk/research. The intention of this blog is to expand on what this UK craniosacral site has already begun.
If you know of craniosacral research or case studies that are not listed on this blog, please contact us with that information so that we may post it: biodynamichealthsystems@gmail.com.
Thank you.
These are links to other sites that list research available on craniosacral therapy:
http://www.cranio-sacral.co.il/english/articles.html
http://www.craniosacral.co.uk/research
http://www.upledger.co.uk/research.html
These are online social media groups that share information about craniosacral therapy:
https://www.facebook.com/CraniosacralTherapyEducationalTrust
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/100840039241708948211
