← Back to Search

Behavioural Intervention

Massage Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Mark Rapaport

Research Sponsored by University of Utah

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Primary Diagnosis of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Male or female subjects aged 18 to 64 years old

Must not have

Lifetime diagnosis of PTSD, bipolar disorder, OCD, psychotic disorders, OR current diagnosis of an alcohol or substance use disorder

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 6 weeks

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial will compare the effects of Swedish massage and light touch therapy on brain activity and anxiety symptoms in individuals with generalized anxiety disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Swedish massage or light touch therapy

Who is the study for?

This trial is for individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Participants will receive either Swedish massage therapy or light touch therapy twice a week for six weeks. They must be willing to undergo fMRI scans and complete questionnaires about their anxiety, stress, and depression levels.

What is being tested?

The study aims to compare the effects of Swedish massage therapy versus light touch therapy on brain activity and anxiety symptoms in GAD patients. It involves random assignment to one of the two therapies and includes before-and-after brain imaging as well as regular assessments.

What are the potential side effects?

While not explicitly listed, side effects from these interventions are generally minimal but could include discomfort at the site of touch or temporary increase in anxiety due to participation in research activities.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below

Select...

I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Select...

I am between 18 and 64 years old.

Select...

I can lie on my stomach or back for an hour.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 6 weeks

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~6 weeks

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 6 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Pre-to-post-treatment change in resting state functional connectivity

Secondary study objectives

Autonomic activity (heart rate variability, heart rate, pulse).

Pre-to-post-treatment change in response to fearful/angry faces task and clinical response on the HAM-A.

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Swedish Massage TherapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

The therapist uses non-aromatic cream to facilitate making long strokes over the body. Swedish massage is done with the subject covered by a sheet, a technique called "draping." One part of the body is uncovered, massaged, and then re-draped before moving to another part. The primary techniques used in the research protocol therapy are effleurage, petrissage, kneading, tapotement and thumb friction. These techniques are performed in a very precise, carefully elaborated manner. The session starts with the subject fully draped in a prone position on the massage table and after approximately 22 minutes the subject is instructed to turn to the supine position. Finally, the therapist moves to the head area of the subject, begins working on the shoulders, neck and head using effleurage and thumb friction, and concludes by using light tapotement on the head. The total time for the entire massage is 45 minutes. Subjects randomized to SMT will undergo 2/week for a total of 6 weeks.

Group II: Light Touch ControlActive Control1 Intervention

The Light Touch Control protocol entails the same duration and sequence of procedures as the massage protocol, except that the therapist employs only light-touch hand placement on the subject's body. This condition isolates the effect of the mechanical intervention of SMT. Subjects randomized to LT will undergo 2/week for a total of 6 weeks.

0 / 4Eligibility criteria met