Živný, B., Živná, V.: Neuropsychological Outcomes After Manual Therapy for Axial Dysfunction with Secondary Autonomic Dysregulation, 2026 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting in San Antonio, TX

Neuropsychological Outcomes After Manual Therapy for Axial Dysfunction with Secondary Autonomic Dysregulation: Results from 159 Children in Two Cohorts Aged 2–6 and 6–12 Years

Boris Živný, MD, IFAANS, FAACPDM, ASDCS¹²
Veronika Živná, Bc, BS, MSc, MA, GMBPsS¹²

¹ NeuroCentrum Clinic, Jesenice, Czech Republic
² SPP Institute (Somato-Psychic Pathway Research), Jesenice, Czech Republic

E-Poster presented at the 2026 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting (May 1–4, San Antonio, TX)

This page accompanies the e-poster presented at the 2026 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting.
It provides access to the poster, key findings, and ongoing updates related to this work.

E-POSTER

Download e-Poster (PDF)

KEY FINDINGS

• Significant improvements across attention, behavior, sleep, anxiety, and mood domains

• Moderate to very large effect sizes across both cohorts

• Consistent PRE–POST improvement pattern across all measured domains

CLINICAL CONTEXT

Neuropsychological symptoms associated with spinal conditions are often interpreted within a top-down framework (e.g., psychological response to surgery and recovery).
These findings suggest that bottom-up influences arising from the axial system, mediated via the autonomic nervous system, may also contribute to neuropsychological symptoms and functioning.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT OPERATIVE NEUROSURGERY

• Spinal disruption (developmental, post-traumatic, or post-operative) may impact neuropsychological functioning

• Structural correction may be associated with changes in neuropsychological outcomes

• The presented assessment methodology may be applicable for outcome evaluation in pediatric spinal surgery

METHODS (SHORT)

• n = 159 children

• Ages 2–6 (n = 105), 6–12 (n = 54)

• ≥5 sessions of individualized manual therapy

• ADHD Rating Scale IV / SNAP-IV

• Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)

• Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS)

• PRE–POST design; effect sizes (Cohen’s d)

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK (SPP)

The findings are consistent with the Somato-Psychic Pathway (SPP), a bottom-up framework linking somatic integrity, autonomic regulation, and mental function.

Živný, B. (2026). Somato-Psychic Pathway: A Universal Developmental Trajectory Linking Somatic Structural–Functional Integrity, Autonomic Regulation, and the Emergence of Mind. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 20, 1771123.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2026.1771123

UPDATES

Updates, follow-up analyses, and related publications will be added here.

CONTACT

Boris Živný, MD
zivny@neurocentrum.cz