title: Comparison of heart rate variability in patients with panic disorder during cognitive behavioral therapy program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many authors suggest that there is low reactivity of autonomic nervous system and reduced heart rate variability in patients with panic disorder. The patients are therefore exposed to increased cardiac mortality. Power spectral analysis is a successful tool in detecting autonomic instabilities in many disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of our study is to monitor the activity of the autonomic nervous system through heart rate variability measured in the beginning and end of a therapeutic cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program in patients with panic disorder. We measured 31 patients with panic disorder in the beginning (1st measurement) and end of a therapeutic CBT program (2nd measurement). The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has been evaluated in three positions (supine - standing - supine). The evaluated parameters of the HRV linear analysis were: RR interval, HF, LF, VLF band and VLF + LF / HF ratio.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spectral activity in the very low frequency band was significantly higher in the 2nd measurement compared to the 1st measurement in the standing position. The ratio of the spectral activity at lower frequencies (VLF+LF) to high frequency (HF) was significantly lower in the supine position.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated an improvement of neurocardiac control regulation after a therapeutic CBT program in patients suffering from panic disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Trencin, Trencin, Slovak Republic. tdiveky@gmail.com
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Diveky
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prasko
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kamaradova
authors.forename: Ales
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grambal
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Latalova
authors.forename: Petr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silhan
authors.forename: Radko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Obereigneru
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salinger
authors.forename: Jaroslav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Opavsky
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tonhajzerova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents