Moving from the laboratory to the real world and back again: Increasing the relevance of laboratory examinations of anxiety sensitivity

Laboratory-based experimental research has led to important breakthroughs i n our understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders as well as other typ es of psychopathology. Despite the importance of this work, the relevance o f laboratory-based research using clinical and nonclinical populations has been understated-particularly given concerns about the ecological and exter nal validity of this research. Although some of these issues have been addr essed elsewhere, there continues to be less emphasis on laboratory-based in vestigations compared to other types of research (e.g., treatment outcome). There also is continued misunderstanding regarding what questions can be e xamined and answered by experimental studies. As an introduction to this sp ecial series on the relevance of laboratory examinations of anxiety, we sug gest that advances in laboratory preparations can make significant contribu tions to current behavior therapy. We also suggest that observations in cli nical practice can spur innovations in laboratory research. One theme echoe d by the articles in this miniseries is the need for a renewed commitment t o reestablishing a link between laboratory-based research and clinical appl ication as a means to further advance the science and practice of behavior therapy over the long-term.