Pilot Study of Vestibular Rehabilitation Training for Panic Disorder With Vestibular Dysfunction

Panic Disorder Clinical Trial

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00004366
• Other study ID #: 199/11944
• Secondary ID: UPITTS-11760S-95
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: October 18, 1999
• Last updated: June 23, 2005
• Start date: August 1995
• Est. completion date: May 2000

Study information

• Verified date: June 2000
• Source: Office of Rare Diseases (ORD)
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Federal Government
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

OBJECTIVES:

I. Evaluate whether vestibular rehabilitation training is of value in reducing anxiety symptoms in patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia who have vestibular dysfunction as identified by clinical vestibular tests.

Description:

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: During the first 4 weeks of study, patients meet with a clinical nurse specialist once a week for approximately 1 hour. During this time, the nature of the anxiety disorder is explained and exposure to previously feared situations is encouraged.

Only patients who remain symptomatic at a stable level following self-exposure will proceed with rehabilitation training.

Patients meet with a physical therapist once a week for 4 weeks to further evaluate the extent of problems associated with balance. Then, patients undergo weekly 1 hour exercises for 8 weeks with the physical therapist, focusing on sensation, head and eye coordination, movement with eyes opened and closed, and gait.

Concurrently, patients meet with the clinical nurse specialist every 4 weeks during and after physical therapy to evaluate the effects of vestibular treatment on anxiety symptoms.

Training is continued if patient is symptomatic; otherwise, patient is discharged from study.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 20
• Est. completion date: May 2000
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: N/A and older

Eligibility

• Diagnosed panic disorder with or without agoraphobia

• Vestibular dysfunction, as defined by abnormalities in the caloric and/or rotational tests

• Continued symptomatology after general instructions of the importance of exposure to feared situations

• Absence of acute symptoms of anxiety or depression assessed to need immediate clinical care

Study Design

Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Primary Purpose: Educational/Counseling/Training

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Agoraphobia
• Panic Disorder
• Vestibular Diseases

Intervention

Procedure:
• Physical therapy

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)	University of Pittsburgh