Effects of osteopathic techniques on the autonomic nervous system

Effects of Three Therapeutic Sessions of the Fourth Ventricle Compression Technique and Rib Raising Osteopathic Technique on Autonomic Nervous System Activity Measured by Heart Rate Variability in 109 Healthy Individuals

NA · SomaticMed · NCT06554834

This study is testing if certain osteopathic techniques can change how the autonomic nervous system works in healthy people.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment109 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorSomaticMed (other)
Locations1 site (Wołomin, Prądzyńskiego)
Trial IDNCT06554834 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the impact of cranial osteopathic manipulation techniques, specifically the fourth ventricle compression (CV4) and rib raising (RR), on autonomic nervous system activity in healthy individuals. A total of 109 participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a combination of CV4 and RR, CV4 alone, or a sham procedure. The effects will be measured through heart rate variability (HRV) using specialized monitoring equipment. The goal is to determine how these osteopathic techniques influence ANS function.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy individuals aged 20 to 60 who are not currently undergoing any rehabilitation or osteopathic treatment.

Not a fit: Patients with unstable arrhythmias, neurological diseases, or recent musculoskeletal trauma may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into non-invasive treatments for improving autonomic nervous system function.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically on these techniques, similar approaches in osteopathic medicine have shown promise in influencing autonomic function.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 20 and 60 years.
* Subjects not currently undergoing any form of rehabilitation, physiotherapy, or osteopathy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Unstable arrhythmia in the patient's history and symptoms related to chest organs (retrosternal pain, difficulty breathing).
* Pregnancy.
* Menstruation.
* Smoking.
* Symptoms suggestive of disorders related to bowel obstruction (bloating with pain, vomiting, diarrhea).
* Surgical treatment in the head.
* Neurological diseases.
* Back and peripheral joint pain, trauma, and musculoskeletal dysfunction in the last 12 months.
* Having undergone physiotherapy or osteopathy treatment within the last month, regardless of the reason

Where this trial is running

Wołomin, Prądzyńskiego

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Healthy, Dysautonomia, Autonomic Nervous System, Osteopathic Medicine, Heart Rate Variability

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.