"An analysis of multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial found osteopathic manipulative treatment OMT for pneumonia reduced length of hospital stay in adults  to  years old and lowered inhospital mortality rates for patients  and older. The study results published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.  The study analyzed  patients ages  or older who were randomly assigned to three groups either receiving OMT a light touch or conventional care only. Differences between treatment groups were evaluated for subgroups of participants based on their age Pneumonia Severity Index and type of pneumonia. The data were analyzed by intentiontotreat analysis of all participants and by perprotocol analysis of participants who finished the study without missing any protocol treatments.  Key findings by perprotocol analysis of the younger subgroup found that OMT decreased hospital stay by . days compared to those who received conventional care only. By intentiontotreat analysis of the older subgroup inhospital mortality rates were  percent lower to the conventionalcare only group. OMT also reduced the inhospital mortality rates of those with the highest severity of illness.  Osteopathic manipulative therapy was developed in the preantibiotic era specifically for the management of pneumonia. While antibiotic therapy is the current standard of care the emergence of resistant bacteria is a global threat and provides an incentive to explore adjunct treatments that can improve their efficacy said James Bailey DO assistant professor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. This study should encourage physicians to use their osteopathic techniques when treating older patients with pneumonia. Pneumonia is a leading cause of death for elderly patients with over  percent of pneumoniarelated deaths among those  and older. Previous studies have also shown that OMT can improve the efficacy of antibiotics in pneumonia patients. Osteopathic manipulative techniques can help treat structural and tissue abnormalities relieve joint restriction and misalignment restore muscle and tissue balance and promote the overall movement blood flow throughout the body. When appropriate it can complement and in some cases replace medications or surgery.  Disclosures The basis for this analysis The Multicenter Osteopathic Pneumonia Study in the Elderly MOPSE clinical trial was funded by a consortium of foundations including the Foundation for Osteopathic Health Services. Please see the study for full details.  About the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association JAOA is the official scientific publication of the American Osteopathic Association. Edited by Robert Orenstein DO it is the premier scholarly peerreviewed publication of the osteopathic medical profession. The JAOAs mission is to advance medicine through the publication of peerreviewed osteopathic research."