Hands-On osteopathic moves may calm anxious minds, small trial hints
NCT ID NCT07670806
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This study tests whether a set of four gentle osteopathic manual techniques can reduce stress and anxiety in young adults aged 18 to 35. Thirty participants will either receive the real techniques or a placebo simulation, and researchers will measure changes in heart rate variability and anxiety/stress scores after one week. The goal is to see if these hands-on methods can calm the nervous system without medication.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- osteopathic manual techniques (Fourth Ventricle Technique and Suboccipital Decompression)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a drug-free way to ease stress and anxiety in young adults.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small early trial with only 30 participants, so results may not apply widely. The placebo group also receives a touch-based simulation, which may reduce the apparent benefit.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 30 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
-
Jun 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
-
Sep 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 35 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * age between 18 and 35 years old; * presence of symptoms/diagnosis of stress and/or anxiety in the last week. Exclusion Criteria: * individuals with cognitive impairments that prevent participation; * individuals with cardiovascular problems; * pregnant women; * those taking medications that affect cardiac function, anxiolytics, and antidepressants; * caffeine consumption in the last 4 hours; * alcohol consumption in the previous 24 hours; * tobacco use in the last 48 hours; * recent cervical trauma; * students of osteopathy.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Anxiety are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
-
The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
-
The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
-
A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Escola Superior de Saúde do Porto
Porto, Porto District, 4200-072, Portugal
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gut bacteria may hold clues to dozens of diseases
- VR headset may calm kids before heart procedure
- Can exercising with your baby reshape postpartum recovery?
- Could a whiff of xenon replace the Pre-Surgery chill pill?
- Can a pencil and paper calm anxious teens with diabetes?
- Can a tailored therapy ease anxiety and depression in autistic teens?