---
title: "Move Play Thrive | Brain and Sensory Foundations Course - Anxiety"
description: "Innate movements create profound improvements for issues with extreme anxiety, trauma, fears, and defiance; see numerous case studies on children and adults."
url: "https://moveplaythrive.com/case-studies-conditions/anxiety?start=30"
date: "2026-07-04T10:16:44+00:00"
language: "en-US"
---

#  Anxiety

##  Anxiety

## Can Primitive Reflex Integration Help Reduce Anxiety?

Rhythmic movements and primitive reflex integration may help with [anxiety](https://moveplaythrive.com/index.php?Itemid=634 "Learn about the sensory-anxiety connection and how reflex integration can help") because they are calming and regulating for the brain and body. These innate neurodevelopmental movements can release the nervous system from fight-flight or freeze states, helping to turn around social anxiety, phobias, separation anxiety, sleep challenges, and more.

*All case studies are written by students of the [Brain and Sensory Foundations First Level course](https://moveplaythrive.com/index.php?Itemid=362 "Training in primitive reflex integration and rhythmic movement").*

    [ ![Boy looking into camera. Text: Boy stops drooling, begins speaking, enjoying play with peers.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_RaG_ANON.jpg) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/boy-stops-drooling-begins-speaking-enjoys-playing-with-peers)

###  [ Boy Stops Drooling, Begins Speaking, Enjoys Playing with Peers ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/boy-stops-drooling-begins-speaking-enjoys-playing-with-peers)

   [ ![Little boy smiling into camera. Text: No longer overwhelmed](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_CW_ANON.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/previous-behaviours-are-barely-evident)

###  [ Previous Behaviours Are Barely Evident ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/previous-behaviours-are-barely-evident)

   [ ![small girl approaching a goat. Text: Feeding Farm Animals Independently.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_MaP_S.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/girl-reaches-goal-of-feeding-rabbits-after-only-six-sessions-of-the-five-step-balance-process)

###  [ Girl Reaches Goal of Feeding Rabbits After Only 6 Sessions of the 5-Step Balance Process ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/girl-reaches-goal-of-feeding-rabbits-after-only-six-sessions-of-the-five-step-balance-process)

   [ ![Girl reading book. Text: Reading for Leisure now.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_CS_E.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/rhythmic-movement-makes-a-significant-impact-on-7-year-old-girl-with-adhd)

###  [ Rhythmic Movement Makes a Significant Impact on 7-Year-Old Girl with ADHD ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/rhythmic-movement-makes-a-significant-impact-on-7-year-old-girl-with-adhd)

   [ ![Mom looking at smiling daughter. Text: Mom sees big changes.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_TW_ANON.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/girl-goes-from-stuttering-and-difficulty-focusing-to-clearer-thoughts-and-fluent-speech)

###  [ Girl Goes From Stuttering and Difficulty Focusing to Clearer Thoughts and Fluent Speech ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/girl-goes-from-stuttering-and-difficulty-focusing-to-clearer-thoughts-and-fluent-speech)

   [ ![Young boy looking into camera. Text: Constant crying to active participation.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_ShSe_C.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/constant-crying-to-active-participation)

###  [ Constant Crying to Active Participation ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/constant-crying-to-active-participation)

   [ ![ Teen girl. Text: Teen girl, phobias and sensitivities diminish](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_TeDa_R.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/teens-phobias-diminish-after-summer-of-rhythmic-movement)

###  [ Teen's Phobias Diminish After Summer of Rhythmic Movement ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/teens-phobias-diminish-after-summer-of-rhythmic-movement)

   [ ![Woman and and therapist practicing movements. Text: Back pain relief for Mom.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_CD_SELF.jpg) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/back-pain-relief-for-mom)

###  [ Back Pain Relief for Mom ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/back-pain-relief-for-mom)

   [ ![Smiling boy. Text: No more crying at daycare.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_VT_C.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/toddler-more-tolerant-animated-and-happy-after-a-course-of-rhythmic-movements)

###  [ Toddler More Tolerant, Animated, and Happy after a Course of Rhythmic Movements. ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/toddler-more-tolerant-animated-and-happy-after-a-course-of-rhythmic-movements)

   [ ![Boy looking into camera. Text: Loving School for the First Time.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_JM_B1.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/massive-improvement-in-daily-functioning-for-5-year-old-with-severe-trauma)

###  [ Massive Improvement in Daily Functioning for 5-Year-Old with Severe Trauma ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/massive-improvement-in-daily-functioning-for-5-year-old-with-severe-trauma)

   [ ![Boy looking into camera. Text: More focus in school and play.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_AmKl_T.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/his-mother-was-in-shock)

###  [ "His Mother Was In Shock" ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/his-mother-was-in-shock)

   [ ![Young boy on a swing. Text: "6-Year-Old Boy: Gross Motor Gains, Decrease in Anxiety and Behavior Issues"](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_MoBa_G.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/six-year-old-boy-gross-motor-gains-decrease-in-anxiety-and-behavior-issues)

###  [ 6-Year-Old Boy: Gross Motor Gains, Decrease in Anxiety and Behavior Issues ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/six-year-old-boy-gross-motor-gains-decrease-in-anxiety-and-behavior-issues)

   [ ![ Mom kneeling down and looking into little boys' eyes. Text: Language episodes, focus improves, and aggression decreases.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_CaEs_S.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/decreased-aggression-increased-focus-and-speech)

###  [ Decreased Aggression; Increased Focus and Speech ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/decreased-aggression-increased-focus-and-speech)

   [ ![Young man with a back pack. Text: Confidence for college.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_ThWi_D.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/young-man-reduces-anxiety-and-improves-sleep-focus-and-academic-performance)

###  [ Young Man Reduces Anxiety and Improves Sleep, Focus, and Academic Performance ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/young-man-reduces-anxiety-and-improves-sleep-focus-and-academic-performance)

   [ ![Teenaged girl resting her chin in her hand. Text: 17-Year-Old, Shy and Scared, Now Courageous and Helpful](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_KaMi_ANON2.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/17-year-old-shy-and-scared-now-courageous-and-helpful)

###  [ 17-Year-Old, Shy and Scared, Now Courageous and Helpful ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/17-year-old-shy-and-scared-now-courageous-and-helpful)

   [ ![Boy riding bike. Text: ADHD: OT says, "I have never witness results like these"](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_AlRa_B.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/adhd-in-2-months-ot-sees-profound-improvements-across-multiple-functional-areas)

###  [ ADHD: In 2 months OT sees “profound improvements across multiple functional areas” ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/adhd-in-2-months-ot-sees-profound-improvements-across-multiple-functional-areas)

   [ ![Smiling girl looking into camera. Text: ADHD & Anxiety: Therapist Helps Girl with "Missing Piece"](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_LW_H.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/10-yr-old-girl-with-anxiety-and-adhd-gains-calm-confidence-and-focus)

###  [ 10-Yr-Old Girl with Anxiety and ADHD: Gains Calm, Confidence, and Focus ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/10-yr-old-girl-with-anxiety-and-adhd-gains-calm-confidence-and-focus)

   [ ![Boy calmly doing schoolwork. Text: From severe meltdowns to self-regulation](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_BF_B.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/boy-with-sensory-behavior-issues-ot-sees-huge-improvements-in-8-weeks)

###  [ Boy with Sensory-Behavior Issues; OT Sees Huge Improvements in 8 Weeks ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/boy-with-sensory-behavior-issues-ot-sees-huge-improvements-in-8-weeks)

   [ ![Woman Confidently chatting with a group. Text: Woman with ASD Overcomes Social Anxiety](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_AdRI_A.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/severe-anxiety-in-groups-now-comfortable-at-social-gatherings)

###  [ Severe Anxiety in Groups, Now Comfortable at Social Gatherings ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/severe-anxiety-in-groups-now-comfortable-at-social-gatherings)

   [ ![Little boy playing in the waves. Text: Therapist gets to the root of the issue; Boy is proud.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_ErCa_D.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/skeptical-therapist-sees-surprising-progress-in-releasing-fears-and-achieving-goals)

###  [ Skeptical Therapist Sees Surprising Progress in Releasing Fears and Achieving Goals ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/skeptical-therapist-sees-surprising-progress-in-releasing-fears-and-achieving-goals)

   [ ![Smiling boy sculpting with playdoh. Text: "It's like having a different kid."](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_ANON_ANON1.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/highly-anxious-7-year-old-separates-from-mother-gains-balance-and-develops-nice-handwriting)

###  [ Highly Anxious 7-Year-Old Separates from Mother, Gains Balance, and Develops Nice Handwriting ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/highly-anxious-7-year-old-separates-from-mother-gains-balance-and-develops-nice-handwriting)

   [ ![Boy smiling into camera. Text: Poor behavior ends, trauma heals.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_MR_ANON.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/boy-with-trauma-makes-so-much-progress-in-school)

###  [ Boy with trauma makes so much progress in school! ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/boy-with-trauma-makes-so-much-progress-in-school)

   [ ![Two girls side-by-side working on homework. Text: Anxiety decreases; pre-teen girl returns to school.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_Rae_A.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/6-months-makes-a-huge-difference-pre-teen-girls-anxiety-decreases-achieves-big-jump-in-standardized-test-scores)

###  [ 6 Months Makes a Huge Difference: Pre-Teen Girl's Anxiety Decreases, Achieves Big Jump in Standardized Test Scores ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/6-months-makes-a-huge-difference-pre-teen-girls-anxiety-decreases-achieves-big-jump-in-standardized-test-scores)

   [ ![Confident girl smiling into camera. Text: Adoption trauma fades away—future is bright!](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_WS_G.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/adopted-girl-with-complex-trauma-overcomes-fears-and-blossoms-with-innate-movements)

###  [ Adopted Girl with Complex Trauma Overcomes Fears and Blossoms with Innate Movements ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/adopted-girl-with-complex-trauma-overcomes-fears-and-blossoms-with-innate-movements)

   [ ![Concerned-looking boy with thumb in mouth. Text: From reactive attachment to cuddling with Mom.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_JeEv_O.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/pushing-hitting-and-biting-diminish)

###  [ Pushing, Hitting, and Biting Diminish ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/pushing-hitting-and-biting-diminish)

   [ ![Little girl concentrating on building blocks. Text: Extreme anxiety, hypersensitivity vanish, 5-year-old girl with birth trauma.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_KeKn_S.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/reflex-integration-alleviates-hypersensitivities-and-anxiety)

###  [ Reflex Integration Alleviates Hypersensitivities and Anxiety ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/reflex-integration-alleviates-hypersensitivities-and-anxiety)

   [ ![Girl smiling into camera. Text: Dismissed from speech therapy! Huge physical and academic success!](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_JeDa_R.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/from-iep-to-all-as-and-bs-on-report-card)

###  [ From IEP to all As and Bs on Report Card ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/from-iep-to-all-as-and-bs-on-report-card)

   [ ![Before-and-After drawings showing improvement in fine motor skills. Text: Results in 3 months.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Misc_Images/Before_And_After_Gallery/BandA_GALL_KeBr_ANON.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/improvements-in-self-regulation-controlling-anxiety-and-fine-motor-skills)

###  [ Improvements in Self-Regulation, Controlling Anxiety, and Fine-Motor Skills! ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/improvements-in-self-regulation-controlling-anxiety-and-fine-motor-skills)

   [ ![Man with arms flung open to the sun. Text: PT helps adult son overcome trauma and depression.](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_MS_M.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/ptsd-adhd-depression-anxiety-astonishing-changes)

###  [ PTSD, ADHD, Depression, Anxiety: Astonishing Changes ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/ptsd-adhd-depression-anxiety-astonishing-changes)

   [ ![https://stg.moveplaythrive.com/case-studies/anger-and-depression-gone-12-year-old-boy](https://moveplaythrive.com/images/2023_Case_Studies/CS_AnPr_J.png) ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/after-traumatic-past-man-uses-innate-movements-transforms-anxiety-to-joy)

###  [ After Traumatic Past, Man Uses Innate Movements, Transforms Anxiety to Joy ](https://moveplaythrive.com/evidence/case-studies/after-traumatic-past-man-uses-innate-movements-transforms-anxiety-to-joy)

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