To the Editor: I was interested to read the original contribution by Sarah J. Breese McCoy, PhD, and colleagues¹ in the April 2006 issue of JAOA—The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association on risk factors for postpartum depression. I am pleased to see reports appearing in the JAOA of original research emanating from our osteopathic medical institutions, such as the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Tulsa, which was the site of the Breese McCoy et al¹ study. 

This study corroborated results of previous allopathic studies.^2-8 My hope is that the larger study recommended by Breese McCoy et al¹ will include original findings focusing on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) for postpartum depression. It is well known to those of us who regularly perform OMT that patients with postpartum depression respond well to manipulation of the sacrum. 

In an osteopathic medical institution, such research would be an excellent opportunity for the housestaff to perform uniquely osteopathic physical examinations and to note the effects of OMT on patients in the medical record. Of course, it would also be a good exercise in any medical institution. 

I suggest promoting the operational rules and regulations of the Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions,⁹ as well as to advance an osteopathic medical research culture at the same time.