Effect of emotion regulation training in patients with panic disorder: Evidenced by heart rate variability measures.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine the effect of emotion regulation training in patients with panic disorder (PD) by measuring heart rate variability (HRV).

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with PD were randomly divided into emotion regulation group (n=25) and no-regulation group (n=23). Three five-minute ECG recordings were taken in the following states: 1) baseline, 2) while subjects viewed 15 aversive pictures (active stimulus), 3) resting state after aversive pictures (post-stimulus). The emotion regulation group briefly received acceptance technique training for five minutes before performing the experimental task. Spectral analysis measures included a high-frequency (HF; 0.15-0.4 HZ) component, a low-frequency (LF; 0.04-0.15Hz) component, and an LF/HF ratio.

RESULTS

The mean change in LF/HF ratio from baseline to active stimulus was significantly lower in the emotion regulation group than in the no-regulation group (emotion regulation group, 0.13; no-regulation group, 2.31; t=-2.67; P<.05).

CONCLUSION

This suggests that brief emotion acceptance training could decrease aversive stimulus-induced sympathetic hyperactivity in patients with PD.