title: Emotional vulnerability as a function of physical activity among individuals with panic disorder.
abstract: This investigation evaluated the association between physical inactivity and emotional vulnerability in panic disorder. Participants were 39 adults (69% females) with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia), recruited through the community. Consistent with prediction, current physical inactivity was significantly associated with greater levels of anxiety sensitivity and severity of panic disorder. Results are discussed in relation to the importance of better understanding the role of physical inactivity in panic disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas 75275-0442, USA. jsmits@smu.edu
authors.forename: Jasper A J
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smits
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zvolensky
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index