Osteopathic techniques enhance immune function in elderly adults with diminished mobility.

Lymphatic pump techniques have the potential to alter blood cell counts and thus enhance immune function in elderly adults with diminished mobility.

There was a statistically significant between-group difference in mean change for platelet counts: counts in the OMT group decreased by a mean (standard deviation) of 15,400 (7947) platelets per microliter and the light touch group increased by 4,700 (17,857) platelets per microliter (P=.004). The between-group differences for the mean (standard deviation) absolute lymphocyte cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, and hematocrit measures all decreased, but the changes were not statistically significant relative to the control group.

The OMT protocol used in this pilot study modestly reduced platelet counts in nursing home residents with limited mobility.

Full text: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23843375/