Comorbidity Between Balance and Childhood Anxiety

Lev-Hasharon Mental Healtlh Center

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Anxiety

Treatments: Behavioral: Motor training; Behavioral: Balance training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00599742

LH22/2007.CTIL

920070174

Details and patient eligibility

About

Previous studies report frequent comorbidity of anxiety and sensory-motor imbalance in adults (Sklare et al., 2001). Only a few studies tested the comorbidity in children. We confirmed that: a) children with primary diagnosis of poor balance demonstrate an elevated anxiety level (Brat et al., 2006, submitted) and, b) children with primary diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder demonstrate poor balance performance (Erez et al., 2004). These studies demonstrate the presence of balance-anxiety comorbidity in children with primary disorder of either balance or anxiety. Our theoretical reasoning formalized under the "three stage theory of learning" points to the possibility that poor balance may either predispose or cause the emergence of anxiety disorder (Erez et al., 2004). Thus, in the present study we test two predictions: (a) high prevalence of comorbidity of anxiety and balance disorders in children with a primary diagnosis of generalized or separation anxiety disorder, and, (b) intensive balance training, but not training of flexibility and power, will reduce the level of anxiety in children with primary diagnosis of anxiety.

Full description

Study sample: 64 children, 8 to 14 years old, with diagnosis of generalized or separation anxiety.

Training: 32 of these children will undergo balance training and the other 32 children will undergo motor training of power and flexibility. Training will last 7 weeks, twice per week, 1 hr each session.

Tests: Balance and anxiety tests will be applied before training period, immediately after the last training session and again 2 months after the last training session.

Tests will include standard balance performance tests and questionnaires of anxiety.

Enrollment: 64 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 14 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Ages 8-14
• Boy or girl
• Generalized or separation anxiety disorder
• Agreement to participate and written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Major affective disorders
• Severe developmental disorders
• Refusal to participate

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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64 participants in 2 patient groups

A

Active Comparator group

Description:

Balance training group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Balance training

B

Active Comparator group

Description:

Motor Training

Treatment:

Behavioral: Motor training