Psych. Eileen Wollburg

Psychophysiological Effects of Breathing Training in Panic Disorder and Episodic Anxiety
RESULTS
Missing Data
For both assessments, 8 PD and 4 EA patients had to be excluded from analysis of
cardiac measures (HR, RSATF), and one PD patient from analysis of SCL due to
medications specifically affecting these variables. In addition, because of random data
loss due to equipment malfunction, slightly lower Ns were used for some analysis. At
initial assessment, 16 % of RSATF had to be excluded since coherences were lower than
0.5. Seven (15.6%) PD and three (7.7%) EA patients did not return their questionnaire
packages. Hence, data on the clinical measures was missing for those subjects. At follow-
up, 9.4% of RSATF had to be excluded due to low coherences. One (5.6%) NAC, 13
(28.9%) PD, and 3 (7.7%) EA patients did not return their questionnaire packages or
dropped out.
Clinical Measures
PD patients’ total score on the PDSS was 13.6 (see Table 2). In the month prior to
the initial assessment, they experienced on average 8-9 full-blown panic attacks and 9-10
limited symptom episodes with severe distress, suffered from moderate anticipatory
anxiety and agoraphobic fear, and mild fear of panic-related sensations. Overall, they
were mildly to moderately impaired in work functioning and social life by their disorder.
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