JAOA • Vol 107 • No 5 • May 2007 • 200-
Response
Sarah J. Breese McCoy, PhD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and College of
Osteopathic Medicine Tulsa
I would like to thank Dr Lee for his interest in the research described in
our April 2006 original contribution to JAOA—The Journal of the
American Osteopathic
Association.1
My colleagues and I have recently completed a follow-up study that is
similarly designed, but more scientifically rigorous, than our JAOA
report. It is currently in press with the Journal of Reproductive
Medicine.2
Although we have not yet formally investigated osteopathic manipulative
treatment (OMT) in the management of postpartum depression, we concur with Dr
Lee that such a study would be interesting and worthwhile. In fact, such a
study is currently in the early planning stage in the Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences and
College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa.
Our attending obstetricians frequently use OMT, as needed, with both
pregnant and postpartum patients. We would point out, however, that properly
designing a scientifically rigorous study of this nature presents some
difficult challenges as a result of the need for a sham treatment resembling
OMT to serve as a control.
References
1. Breese McCoy SJ, Beal JM, Miller Shipman SB, Payton ME, Watson GH.
Risk factors for postpartum depression: a retrospective investigation at
4-weeks postnatal and a review of the literature [published correction appears
in J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2006;106:687-688]. J Am Osteopath
Assoc. 2006;106:193-198. Available at:
http://www.jaoa.org/cgi/content/full/106/4/193.
Accessed May 7, 2007.2. Breese McCoy SJ, Beal JM, Saunders B, Hill EN, Payton ME, Watson
GH. Retrospective investigation of risk factors for postpartum depression.
J Reprod Med. 2007. In press.
