NMM/OMM Grants and Funding
2023 Research Grants
Lymphatic OMT Protocol for Healthy Individuals: A Crossover Self-Controlled Clinical Trial
American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF)
Dr. Brian Loveless, DO, serves as the principal investigator for this project, funded by a $25,000 
grant from the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) in 2023. The study focuses on evaluating the potential of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to enhance immune function in healthy individuals. By comparing OMT to two other interventions—light touch and exercise—the research aims to isolate OMT's specific effects on immune health, including its impact on immune cell activity and cytokine levels.
The grant, which supports a 12-month study period from December 21, 2023, to December 18, 2024, aims to deepen our understanding of OMT's role in supporting overall immune health. This research could have far-reaching implications for the role of OMT in preventive medicine and overall wellness. By improving our understanding of how OMT modulates the body’s immune response, this study aims to contribute to evidence-based practices that may benefit patient care across a range of conditions where immune function is vital.
2022 Research Grants
Serological Assessment of the Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments in Conjunction with COVID-19 Booster Shots
American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
Dr. Sebastien Fuchs, MD, PhD, served as the principal investigator for this research project,
funded by a $20,000 grant from the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in 2022. It was obtained under the Request for Application (RFA): Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Observational & Explorative Research Studies - OMT will enhance immunological responses to vaccines. The study spanned 18 months, from September 1, 2022, to February 28, 2024.
This research sought to investigate how OMT could potentially enhance the body's immunological response to the COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccines. The study aimed to determine whether OMT could improve vaccine efficacy by increasing antibody titer production or circulation. Positive results would provide evidence that OMT should be integrated into future vaccine protocols, especially in the context of global health challenges like COVID-19 and for future booster vaccinations.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Recurrent Mastitis
WesternU Intramural "Seed" Grant Funding
Dr. Brian Loveless, DO, proposed this grant for the 2022 cycle of the Western University of 
Health Sciences' Intramural "Seed" Grant Program, aimed at securing extramural funding. Based on the merit of his proposal, the committee awarded him $5,320 to support this study, spanning from April 12, 2022, to April 12, 2023.
The research focuses on a pressing issue in maternal health: recurrent mastitis, a painful condition that may require antibiotics and can disrupt breastfeeding. Dr. Loveless seeks to investigate whether OMT can offer an effective, non-pharmaceutical alternative to antibiotics for treating recurrent mastitis, as well as preventing future recurrence in the same breast. The study hypothesizes that incorporating OMT into standard medical care will significantly reduce the recurrence of mastitis, improve overall patient well-being, and help more mothers continue breastfeeding without experiencing adverse effects. If the hypothesis is supported, it will demonstrate a non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical treatment for recurrent mastitis.
2021 Research Grants
Augmentation of Immune Response to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination Through Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Including Lymphatic Pumps
American Osteopathic Association (AOA)
Dr. Jesus Sanchez, DO, served as the principal investigator for this grant funded for $20,000 from 
the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in 2021. Funding was awarded under the AOA's Request for Application (RFA) for Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Observational & Explorative Research Studies - OMT will enhance immunological responses to vaccines. The funding ran for 18 months, from December 1, 2021, to May 31, 2023.
This project has been completed, resulting in multiple lectures, poster presentations, and manuscripts that have been shared with the osteopathic community, the wider scientific community, and the general community. This study sheds light on the immune-enhancing potential of OMT in conjugation with COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and opens the door for future explorations into how OMT can be incorporated into patient care to improve patient outcomes.
Augmentation of Immune Response to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination Through Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Including Lymphatic Pumps
WesternU Intramural "Seed" Grant Funding
Dr. Jesus Sanchez, DO, proposed a promising research project for the 2021 cycle of Western University of Health Sciences' Intramural "Seed" Grant Program, which was selected for funding based on its strong potential for extramural support. Awarded $5,000, the initial project period spanned from October 4, 2021, to June 30, 2022, with an extension granted through June 30, 2023, to further explore its findings.
Memorandum of Understanding Between American Osteopathic Foundation
American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF)
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was established on April 9, 2021, between the 
American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF), Dr. Robert Hostoffer, DO, and the College of Osteopathic Medicine (COMP) at Western University of Health Sciences. At the time, Dr. Paula Crone, the Dean of COMP and now Provost of the university, signed the agreement on behalf of the institution, with Dr. Jesus Sanchez, DO, from the NMM/OMM Department serving as the principal investigator.
The MOU initially covered the period from May 1, 2021, to September 2022 but was later extended to the end of 2023 to allow for the continued development and execution of the research project. The agreement provided $30,000 in funding from the AOF, with additional financial contributions from key osteopathic organizations, including the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP) and the Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California (OPSC).
This project, a randomized controlled trial (RCT), was designed to investigate the potential of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to enhance the immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The trial aimed to explore whether OMT could boost the efficacy of the vaccination protocol by modulating the immune system, thereby providing an innovative and non-invasive approach to improving vaccine outcomes. If successful, the study could present groundbreaking evidence on how OMT can be integrated into public health strategies to optimize immune health in response to vaccination efforts.
Augmentation of Immune Response to COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination Through Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment Including Lymphatic Pumps
American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO)
Dr. Jesus Sanchez, DO, served as the lead investigator for this research project. A $10,000 grant 
was awarded by the American Academy of Osteopathy’s Board of Trustees, following the recommendation of the Louisa Burns Osteopathic Research Committee (LBORC). This funding supported a one-year study from March 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, aimed at exploring the effects of incorporating osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) into the COVID-19 mRNA vaccination protocol.
As a result of this grant, Dr. Sanchez and his research team have achieved several notable outcomes. They published their findings in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM), delivered guest lectures to share their insights, and presented their research at multiple conferences.
