Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

A Model to Simulate Clinically Relevant Hypoxia in Humans
Published on: December 22, 2016
Panic disorder in a breath-holding challenge test: a simple tool for a better diagnosis
Antonio E Nardi1, Isabella Nascimento, Alexandre M Valença
1Laboratory of Panic & Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. aenardi@novanet.com.br
Objective:
Our aim was to observe if anxiety disorder patients - DSM-IV - respond in a similar way to the induction of panic attacks by a breath-holding challenge test.
Method:
We randomly selected 29 panic disorder (PD) patients, 27 social anxiety disorder (SAD) patients, 21 generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients. They were induced to breath-hold for as long as possible four times with two-minute interval between them. Anxiety scales were applied before and after the test.
Results:
A total of 44.8% (n=13) PD patients, 14.8% (n=4) SAD patients, 9.5% (n=2) GAD patients had a panic attack after the test (c = 21.44, df= 2, p=0.001). There was no heart rate or anxiety levels difference among the groups before and after the test.
Conclusion:
In this breath-holding challenge test the panic disorder patients were more sensitive than other anxiety disorder patients.
Related Concept Videos
Panic Disorder
Hyperpnea and Hyperventilation
Measurement of Blood Pressure
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I
Acute Respiratory Failure-IV
Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes include...

