Effects of an Osteopathic Manual Therapy Protocol on Heart Rate Variability, Stress, and Anxiety in Young Adults

Starting soon · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Stress, Anxiety

In brief

Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry and anticipation of future threats, often accompanied by physiological and behavioral manifestations. Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide and represent a significant public health concern, particularly among young adults and university students, who frequently experience academic, social, and financial stressors. The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of a protocol, consisting of 4 manual techniques, compared to a placebo group, in heart rate variability immediately after the intervention and in anxiety after one week in young adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the osteopathic intervention protocol influence the parasympathetic nervous system? Does the osteopathic intervention protocol influence anxiety and stress? The researchers will compare the osteopathic protocol to a placebo (simulation technique), in order to see if the protocol influences anxiety and stress. Participants will: Prior to the intervention, complete the EADS questionnaire and undergo measurement of heart rate variability; Undergo the protocol or placebo; Immediately after the intervention, they will undergo the measurement of heart rate variability; After one week in the intervention, complete the questionnaire EADS.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07670806

Run by

Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde do Porto

People needed

30

Starts

2026-06-01

Expected to finish

2026-09-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-07-07

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 35. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• age between 18 and 35 years old;
• presence of symptoms/diagnosis of stress and/or anxiety in the last week.

You may not qualify if…

• 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.

Where it is running

• Escola Superior de Saúde do Porto — Porto, Porto District, Portugal

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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