Results from previous studies suggest the association between Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) and length of stay (LOS) reduction in a population of preterm infants.

The primary objective of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of sham OMT in reducing LOS in a sample of preterm newborns, in order to investigate whether previous clinical results could be related to a hypothetical placebo effect.

Inclusion Criteria:

• preterm infants born at age between 29 and 37 weeks
• sham osteopathic treatment performed < 14 days after birth
• preterm infants born in the same hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

• gestational age < 29, > 37 weeks;
• sham osteopathic treatment performed > 14 days after birth;
• newborn transferred to/from other hospital;
• newborn from to HIV seropositive and/or drug addict mother;
• newborn with genetic disorders, congenital abnormalities, cardiovascular abnormalities, neurological disorders, proven or suspected necrotizing enterocolitis with or without gastrointestinal perforation, proven or suspected abdominal obstruction, pre- and/or post-surgery patients, pneumoperitoneum and/or atelectasis.