Balance and Anxiety Issues Linked
Research at Tel Aviv University Links Emotional and Physical
Jan 27, 2009
Balance problems can cause injuries if a person trips and falls, but a new study by Tel Aviv University has found a link between balance and anxiety, which can be crippling in a different way.
According to the study in the Tel Aviv University press release, there are 40 million American adults who suffer from anxiety. Many of the 40 million people with anxiety also have balance problems.
Research on Link Between Balance and Anxiety
The researchers have found that the link between anxiety and balance can be detected at an early age. The researchers also stated that if the problem is found at an early age, something can be done about it before it becomes problematic.
Researchers; Dr. Orit Bart at Tel Aviv University's School of Health Professions, and her colleagues, have discovered that a simple course of physical treatment to correct balance problems can also resolve anxiety issues in children. This research offers new hope children with both disorders can achieve normal social and emotional development.
Anxiety can affect a child's personal and academic well-being. Children who have excessive anxiety may not do well socially and their school work may suffer.
The researcher noted that not all kids with anxiety have balance problems, but that all those with balance problems do exhibit symptoms of anxiety.
Breakthrough for Occupational Therapy
Dr. Bart stated that the link between anxiety and balance was a breakthrough in the field of occupational therapy.
The children in the study went through a 12 week intervention of sensory-motor skills and their balance improved. The therapy also reduced their anxiety to normal levels. As the children's balance and anxiety issued improved, their self-esteem also improved.
Dr. Bart explained, "You can't treat children with anxiety in a cognitive way because of their immaturity and lack of operational thinking. Working with the body may be the answer."
Dr. Bart went on to say that treatment focused on letting the children use equipment to experience their environment and move in space. She found children could work through their emotional problems, including anxiety, by working with their bodies.
There will be continued study by Dr. Bart to further explore the exact nature of the relationship between balance and anxiety and to focus on more specific treatment.
According to Dr. Bart, young children with anxiety should be assessed for balance issues. If balance is the source of the problem they can be better treated because doctors have a better understanding of their disorder.
Resources
American Friends of Tel Aviv University: Mind out of balance, body out of balance. EurekAlert
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