Depression diagnosed and volunteer to participate 39 cases who between the ages of 15-21 included. All participants were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups, the osteopathy group (OG) and the placebo group (PG). Stimulation on the sympathetic truncus and prevertebral ganglia were performed in the OG group. The stimulation of the PG group was performed with a lighter touch and a shorter duration in similar areas. Each participant was filled in the demographic data form, Beck Depression Scale and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form - 1 and Form - 2) before the application. Emotional state visual analog scale and STAI Form - 1 was filled and blood pressure and pulse measurement were made and saliva sample was taken before application, immediately after application and 20 minutes after application.
Depression appears to be resistant to the available pharmacological treatments. Autonomic responses accompanied by any psychological stress are sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and neuroendocrine responses are formed by hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The purpose of this study is; assessment of effectiveness of osteopathic approach on sympathetic nervous system and HPA axis in adolescents with depression.