Manual therapy techniques to improve autonomic nervous system function in healthy adults

Effect of a Sequence of Specific Manual Therapy Techniques Targeting the Autonomic Nervous System in Healthy Adults: a Single-application Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Universitat Internacional de Catalunya · NCT06477822

This study is testing if a special type of hands-on therapy can help healthy adults improve their body's automatic functions, like heart rate and breathing.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment96 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversitat Internacional de Catalunya (other)
Locations1 site (Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona)
Trial IDNCT06477822 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to analyze the effects of a specific sequence of manual therapy techniques designed to regulate the autonomic nervous system in healthy adults. Participants will undergo a single intervention, and the study will measure changes in parasympathetic activity through heart rate variability, heart rate, and respiratory rate. The goal is to determine if this manual therapy can enhance autonomic balance, which may have implications for treating conditions linked to autonomic dysfunction. If successful, the findings could lead to new therapeutic approaches for patients with related health issues.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy adults aged 18-65 who can provide informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with existing conditions affecting the autonomic nervous system or those taking medications that influence its activity may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide a non-invasive therapeutic option for patients suffering from conditions related to autonomic nervous system dysregulation.

How similar studies have performed: While there is existing literature on manual therapy's effects on the autonomic nervous system, this specific approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical trials.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Provision of informed consent
* Aged between 18-65

Exclusion Criteria:

* Regular consumtion of alcohol or illegal drugs
* Consumption of medications whose effect acts on the autonomic nervous system (cholinergic agonists and antagonists, or adrenergic agonists and antagonists)
* Diagnostic of disease that may affect the activity of the autonomic nervous system or the perception of pain (such as generalized anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, or chronic fatigue).
* Pregnancy

Where this trial is running

Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona

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: Autonomic Imbalance, autonomic nervous system, manual therapy, 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.