Effect of Cognitive-behavior Therapy on Fear Responses to Body Symptoms in Patients With Panic Disorder

Change in defensive activation to interoceptive threat

Defensive activation to interoceptive threat (induced via a standardized hyperventilation task) is assessed using the startle eyeblink response (measured via electromyographic activity over the left musculus orbicularis oculi) to an acoustic startle probe.

Time frame: change from pre-intervention/pre-waiting period (baseline) to immediately after CBT or waiting period

Change in panic symptomatology and severity (PAS)

The Panic and Agoraphobia Scale (PAS) is self-rating assessing panic disorder and agoraphobia severity with five factor analytic derived subscale scores (panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, agoraphobic avoidance, health concerns, functional impairment) and a total score indicating the global severity. The questionnaire was specifically developed for monitoring changes during psychotherapy or psychopharmacological treatments. Total score range: 0 to 57. Higher scores indicate worse severity of panic symptomatology.

Time frame: change from pre-intervention/pre-waiting period (baseline) to immediately after CBT or waiting period

Change in the severity of anxiety symptomatology (HAM-A=

The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) is a structured clinician rating assessing the severity of anxiety symptomatology. Total score rage: 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate worse severity of anxiety symptomatology.

Time frame: change from pre-intervention/pre-waiting period (baseline) to immediately after CBT or waiting period

Change in anxiety sensitivity (ASI)

The Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) is a self-report measure of fear of anxiety-related body symptoms (i.e., anxiety sensitivity). Total score range: 0 to 64. Higher scores indicate worse anxiety sensitivity.

Time frame: change from pre-intervention/pre-waiting period (baseline) to immediately after CBT or waiting period