B – 70 Somato-Psychic Syndrome and Somato-Psychic Autonomic Dysregulation as a Pathophysiological Bridge Between Body and Mind

Abstract Objective This study introduces Somato-Psychic Syndrome (SPS) and its underlying mechanism, Somato-Psychic Autonomic Dysregulation (SPAD), as a novel clinical and pathophysiological framework for understanding mental distress arising from primary structural dysfunction. Unlike traditional psychosomatic models that assume a psychological origin of somatic symptoms, SPS posits that structural impairment, most notably axial blockages (AxBb), disrupts autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, resulting in psychological and behavioral manifestations. Method A retrospective analysis was conducted on 135 children aged 2–12 years diagnosed with SPS and presenting with attention, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. Participants were treated at a neurodevelopmental outpatient clinic and underwent at least five manual therapy sessions. The intervention combined False Proprioceptive Information Therapy (FPIT) and the low-velocity axial manipulations (LVLA/LVHA). Primary outcome measures included parent-reported sleep, behavior, attention, anxiety, and mood changes. Results Highly significant post-treatment improvements were observed across all domains (p < 0,05, mostly < 0.001). Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) ranged from 0.4 to 1.4. No adverse effects were reported. Improvements were consistent across age groups and correlated with the resolution of axial blockages and the restoration of ventral vagal tone. Conclusion SPS, mediated by SPAD, may represent a distinct nosological entity characterized by a somatically driven disruption of autonomic and psychological regulation. Manual therapy targeting somatic dysfunction and autonomic imbalance appears to be a clinically effective approach. Early recognition and appropriate intervention may prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary psychopharmacological treatment in children with SPS.