AMBULATORY MONITORING OF RESPIRATION IN ANXIETY

An ambulatory monitor, body suit, and calibration procedure were devel oped to compare the respiration of seven patients with panic disorder and twelve normal volunteers. Subjects wore a body suit with Respitrac e bands, connected to a portable respiratory monitor for a period of 2 4 hours. Breath by breath values for respiratory rate and tidal volume were computed every two minutes. There was a significant difference p atients and controls in their patterns of minute ventilation during sl eep. Tidal volume, rather that respiratory rate increases characterize d the periods of anxiety and limited symptom attacks. (C) 1996 Wiley-L iss, Inc.