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Panic attacks and interoceptive acuity for cardiac sensations

G J Asmundson¹, L S Sandler, K G Wilson

¹Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Canada.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

|February 1, 1993

Summary

People with panic attacks do not have better awareness of their heartbeats. This study found no link between panic disorder and enhanced interoceptive acuity for cardiac sensations.

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Area of Science:

Psychology
Psychiatry
Cardiology

Background:

Cognitive models suggest visceral perception influences panic attacks.
The link between panic disorder and heightened awareness of internal bodily sensations (interoception) requires empirical investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between panic attacks and the ability to perceive cardiac sensations accurately.
To determine if individuals with panic disorder exhibit enhanced interoceptive acuity for heartbeats.

Main Methods:

Employed the Whitehead heartbeat discrimination procedure with 20 individuals with panic disorder and 20 healthy controls.
Participants completed 60 trials, divided equally between rest and post-hyperventilation conditions.

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Main Results:

No significant difference in heartbeat discrimination accuracy was found between individuals with panic disorder and controls.
Panic attacks were not associated with enhanced interoceptive acuity for cardiac sensations under either resting or hyperventilation conditions.

Conclusions:

The findings do not support the hypothesis that panic disorder is characterized by superior interoceptive accuracy for cardiac sensations.
Results challenge certain cognitive models of panic that posit heightened visceral perception as a key factor in panic attack precipitation.