Massage for GAD: Neuroimaging and Clinical Correlates of Response
University of Utah
Summary
This clinical trial will compare the effects of Swedish massage or light touch therapy on brain activity and symptoms of anxiety. This is a randomized research study and subjects will be randomized into one of two study touch intervention groups, and will have an equal chance of being placed in one of the groups: 1. Swedish massage therapy twice per week for 6 weeks. 2. Light touch therapy twice per week for 6 weeks. The Primary Objective is to identify brain networks activated by touch interventions using fMRI brain imaging in subjects with generalized anxiety disorder. Subjects will undergo two fMRI scanning sessions (one before and one after) twice per week for 6 weeks of touch intervention. Subjects will also be asked to complete questionnaires on anxiety, stress and depression.
Description
This is a two-arm, randomized, single masked study investigating the effects of Swedish massage therapy (SMT) vs. a light touch (LT) control on brain activity, clinical response, and autonomic function in subjects with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Primary Objective: To identify brain networks activated by SMT vs. LT using resting state fMRI and Functional Connectivity during the fearful faces task in subjects with GAD. Primary endpoint: Pre-to-post-treatment change in resting state functional connectivity. Secondary Objectives: To correlate pre-to-post-treatment change in rsFC with…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–64 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Male or female subjects aged ≥ 18 and \< 65 years old. 2. Medically stable. 3. Primary Diagnosis of GAD. 4. Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) ≥15 5. Off concurrent psychotropic medication for at least 2 weeks prior to initiation of randomized treatment, OR stable on current medication for a minimum of 6 weeks (prior to initiation of randomized treatment) and willing to maintain a stable dose. 6. Ability to lie prone or supine for one hour at a time, given the nature of the massage intervention 7. Subjects must have a permanent domicile 8. Subjects must be able t…
Interventions
- OtherSwedish Massage Therapy
Touch therapy
- OtherLight Touch Therapy
Touch therapy
Location
- Huntsman Mental Health InstituteSalt Lake City, Utah