Related Experiment Videos
Physiological markers for anxiety: panic disorder and phobias
1Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. wtroth@stanford.edu
Summary
Breathing training therapy using capnometry feedback significantly improved panic disorder symptoms by regulating breathing and reducing hyperventilation. This approach offers sustained relief without cognitive interventions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychophysiology
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Physiological activation is a key anxiety symptom, yet not used in psychiatric diagnosis.
- Phobic patients show concordance between self-reported anxiety, autonomic activation, hypocapnia, and sighing during driving.
- Respiratory abnormalities in panic disorder patients suggest a potential diagnostic marker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between respiratory abnormalities and panic disorder.
- To develop and evaluate a capnometry feedback-assisted breathing training therapy for panic disorder.
Main Methods:
- Ambulatory study of phobics during highway driving.
- Development of capnometry feedback assisted breathing training therapy.
- Five weekly therapy sessions with daily home practice using a capnometer.
Main Results:
- Breathing training therapy produced marked clinical improvement in panic disorder patients.
- Improvement was sustained over a 12-month follow-up period.
- Therapy was effective regardless of initial symptom presentation (respiratory or non-respiratory).
Conclusions:
- Capnometry feedback assisted breathing training is an effective treatment for panic disorder.
- Modifying physiological systems, like breathing regulation, can be therapeutic for fear networks.
- This approach offers a non-cognitive method for managing panic disorder symptoms.