622 - The Immediate Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Balance and Pain in Collegiate Cheerleaders: A Pilot Study

 This pilot study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on balance and function in collegiate cheerleaders. Secondary aims included assessing how prior injury history and access to athletic training influenced treatment and outcomes.

Design:  Eleven collegiate cheerleaders participated in a prospective case series. Each completed a demographic and injury history survey followed by baseline assessments using the Dance Functional Outcome Survey (DFOS) and balance plate testing under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. OMT targeting the fibular head and talus was delivered by a student physician under supervision, using muscle energy, myofascial release, and balanced ligamentous tension techniques. Follow-up DFOS and balance testing were completed one week post-treatment.

Results:

 Most participants had a history of lower extremity injury, particularly ankle sprains, and limited prior access to athletic training services. Median DFOS scores increased significantly from baseline to follow-up (84.8 percent to 98.0 percent; p = 0.0078), suggesting short-term functional gains. While balance measures showed variability, the percentage of time spent within a 0.6-inch target zone improved significantly during eyes-closed trials (mean increase of 8.64 percent; p = 0.044), which may reflect enhanced proprioceptive input following OMT, particularly under conditions of reduced visual feedback.

Conclusions:

 This is the first known study to assess OMT's impact on balance and function in collegiate cheerleaders. The findings suggest that OMT is feasible, well-tolerated, and may lead to measurable short-term improvements in functional ability and balance control. These improvements could have clinical implications for return-to-play decisions in athletes. The results also highlight the potential value of integrating osteopathic interventions into sports medicine protocols for dynamic athletic populations. Future studies, including larger samples, longer-term follow-up, and cheer-specific outcome tools, would better characterize OMT’s role in optimizing performance and recovery.