What this means
Researchers plan to scan brains with MRI before and after a 30-minute osteopathic treatment session. This study has not started yet, so it cannot tell us whether the treatment changes fluid flow.
Plain-English summary written by an AI model from the registry listing.
- Status
- Opening soon
- Who can join
- Ages 18–80
- Where
- 1 site, including Alabama
The science
- Registered title
- Exploring How Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment May Affect Spinal Fluid Flow: An MRI Study
- Trial ID
- NCT07629765 ↗
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Study type
- interventional
- Conditions
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) Effects on Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Dynamics
- What is tested
- Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
- Sponsor
- Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Ages
- 18 Years to 80 Years
- Dates
- First posted Jun 5, 2026 · updated Jun 5, 2026
Registry summary
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
Sites (1)
- Auburn University MRI Research Center, Auburn, Alabama, United States