Do Anxiety Levels Affect Postural Stability?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of individuals with different levels of anxiety on postural stability. Method: A total of 133 individuals over 18 years old participated: 44 with mild anxiety (Group I), 47 with high anxiety (Group II), and 42 in the control group. None had dizziness complaints. Anxiety levels were determined using the State Anxiety Inventory. Balance was assessed using the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, Limits of Stability (LOS) Test, Walk Across Test, Tandem Walking Test, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Results: The study identified significant differences in LOS parameters across anxiety levels. The mild anxiety group demonstrated a reduced right lateral maximum excursion compared to the control group (99.50% ± 5.64% vs. 95.02% ± 8.21%), corresponding to a mean difference of 4.48% ( p = .010). Posterior maximum excursion was also significantly lower in both the mild and high anxiety groups relative to controls. The mild anxiety group showed a mean value of 53.97% ± 15.41% versus 64.00% ± 16.05% in controls, yielding a mean difference of 10.03% ( p = .006). Similarly, the high anxiety group exhibited a posterior excursion of 53.12% ± 15.82%, with a mean difference of 10.88% from controls ( p = .004). These findings indicate that participants with higher anxiety levels demonstrated lower stability limits, particularly in the lateral and posterior directions. Conclusion: Anxiety appears to negatively affect maximum excursion values in the LOS Test, suggesting an association between anxiety level and postural control.