Acute exercise reduces the effects of a 35% CO2 challenge in patients with panic disorder.
BACKGROUND
Chronic exercise has been shown to have therapeutic effects in panic disorder (PD). The mechanism of these effects is unknown. Acute exercise reduces the effect of a panic challenge in healthy volunteers. Such an effect has not yet been demonstrated in PD patients. The present study aimed at exploring the antipanic effects of acute exercise on a 35% CO2 panic provocation in treatment-naïve PD patients to further elucidate the mechanisms of the beneficial effects of exercise on panic.


METHODS
Eighteen PD patients performed either moderate/hard exercise or very-light exercise before a 35% CO2 challenge in a randomized, between-group design. The reactivity to CO2 was assessed with the Visual Analogue Anxiety Scale and the DSM-IV Panic Symptom List.


RESULTS
Panic reactions to CO2 were smaller in patients that performed moderate/hard exercise in contrast to those that performed very-light exercise. Increments in both measurements and panic rates were consistently reduced by intense exercise.


CONCLUSIONS
Since this study focuses on the acute effects of exercise on CO2 sensitivity in patients with PD, the results of repetitive exercise sessions on the rate of spontaneous panic attacks and overall symptoms are warranted. The small sample size and other limitations are addressed.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise reduced the panicogenic effects of a CO2 challenge. In addition to its therapeutic potential, exercise may also be useful as a laboratory maneuver with heuristic value in experimental research into the mechanisms of antipanic treatment.
Esquivel
Gabriel
G
Academic Anxiety Center, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. gabriel.esquivel@pn.unimaas.nl
Díaz-Galvis
John
J
Schruers
Koen
K
Berlanga
Carlos
C
Lara-Muñoz
Carmen
C
Griez
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007773:Lactates; D002245:Carbon Dioxide