Anxiogenic properties of a computer simulation for panic disorder with agoraphobia

Journal of Affective Disorders
Rafael C FreireAntonio E Nardi

Abstract

There are several useful methods to induce anxiety in patients with panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA). Our aim was to ascertain if a computer simulation (CS) could induce anxiety and physiologic alterations in PDA patients. 10 healthy controls (HC) and 10 patients who fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for PDA were recruited for this study. The anxiety level was measured with the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS) and the Diagnostic Symptom Questionnaire (DSQ) was used to ascertain panic attack (PA) symptoms. The heart rate, skin conductance and respiration were monitored during exposure to the CS. The CS was a 3D computer animation of a short bus trip, from a first person perspective. In PDA patients CS exposure increased anxiety levels, they also had higher scores in the DSQ and two of them had PA. Compared to the HC, the PDA patients had higher skin conductance level, electrodermal response magnitude, respiratory rate, tidal volume, and respiratory rate irregularities. The heart rate means were higher for PDA patients who had PA, followed by HC and PDA patients who did not have PA. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the sense of presence. The main limitations were the small sample size, ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Mar 29, 2014·The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry : the Official Journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry·Julia DiemerPeter Zwanzger
Jun 22, 2015·Journal of Affective Disorders·Marcele Regine de CarvalhoPedro Ribeiro
Feb 5, 2013·European Neuropsychopharmacology : the Journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology·Julia DiemerPeter Zwanzger
Jul 4, 2013·Journal of Affective Disorders·Marcele Regine de CarvalhoHagop Souren Akiskal
Mar 9, 2018·Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health : CP & EMH·Eduardo LattariSérgio Machado
Sep 21, 2017·Frontiers in Psychiatry·Martine J van BennekomDamiaan Denys
Apr 25, 2021·Journal of Anxiety Disorders·Alison J CullenMurat Yücel
Dec 2, 2019·Journal of Affective Disorders·Rafael Christophe FreireAntonio Egidio Nardi

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