Comorbidity Between Balance and Childhood Anxiety

Comorbidity Between Balance and Childhood Anxiety: Treatment of Anxiety by Training of Balance

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Anxiety
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Balance training; Behavioral: Motor training

Detailed 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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 64
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Israel
  • Netanya, Israel
    • Recruiting
    • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Clinic, Lev Hasharon MHC
    • Contact: Michal Rappaport, MD; Phone Number: +972-9-833-4466; Email: michalra@lev-hasharon.co.il
    • Principal Investigator: Michal Rappaport, MD
  • Netanya, Israel
    • Recruiting
    • Wingate Institute for Physical Education
    • Contact: Roni Lidor, PhD; Phone Number: +972-9-863-9247; Email: lidor@wincol.ac.il
    • Sub-Investigator: Roni Lidor, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 8 years to 14 years (Child)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

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

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: A; Balance training group	Behavioral: Balance training; Physical exercise of balance. The training will last 7 weeks, twice per week, 1 hour per session.
Active Comparator: B; Motor Training	Behavioral: Motor training; Motor exercise of power and flexibility. The training will last 7 weeks, twice per week, 1 hour per session.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Balance improvement and anxiety reduction	After 7 weeks of training

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Lev-Hasharon Mental Healtlh Center
• Collaborators: Tel Aviv University; University of Haifa; Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Michal Rappaport, MD, Lev Hasharon Mental Health Center

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Erez O, Gordon CR, Sever J, Sadeh A, Mintz M. Balance dysfunction in childhood anxiety: findings and theoretical approach. J Anxiety Disord. 2004;18(3):341-56. doi: 10.1016/S0887-6185(02)00291-8.
• Sklare DA, Konrad HR, Maser JD, Jacob RG. Special issue on the interface of balance disorders and anxiety: an introduction and overview. J Anxiety Disord. 2001 Jan-Apr;15(1-2):1-7. doi: 10.1016/s0887-6185(00)00039-6. No abstract available.

Helpful Links

• website of location of study

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2007
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2010
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 11, 2008
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 23, 2008
• First Posted (Estimate): January 24, 2008

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): January 24, 2008
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 23, 2008
• Last Verified: January 1, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Children; Balance training; Generalized anxiety disorder; Vestibular disorder; Balance disorder; Separation anxiety disorder
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Anxiety Disorders
• Other Study ID Numbers: LH22/2007.CTIL; 920070174