Comorbidity Between Balance and Childhood Anxiety

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

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

Conditions
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Anxiety

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Balance training
* Behavioral: Motor training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 8 Years
Maximum Age: 14 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

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


Arms and Interventions

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

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

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

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Balance disorder, Vestibular disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, Separation anxiety disorder, Children, Balance training