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Biomedical subjects

J G Beck

Publications and source records attributed to J G Beck.

46 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Operating characteristics of the vaginal photoplethysmograph: some implications for its use.

Two operating characteristics of the vaginal photoplethysmograph were examined in an attempt to explain some of the methodological variance in the data produced by this device. Both the original Sintchak and Geer (1975) vaginal probe and a modified LED probe were examined for response consistency and temperature sensitivity. The results reveal that, for both types of probes, there is a considerable drift over time when the device is operated on DC in a temperature and light-controlled environment. This drift was not consistent across devices or trials, thus eliminating the possibility of experimentally or statistically controlling for it. In addition, both types of device were found to be extremely temperature sensitive when operated on DC in a light-controlled environment. Implications for continued use of the vaginal photoplethysmograph in research and clinical settings are discussed and recommendations are made regarding alternative genital measures of sexual arousal in women.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relationships between the anxiety sensitivity index, the suffocation fear scale, and responses to CO2 inhalation.

Interest in documenting ways to predict anxious responding in panic disorder (PD) patients has proliferated recently in the literature. In the current study, two self-report measures were assessed to determine their relative utility in predicting responses to a panicogenic challenge. The Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) and the Suffocation Fear Scale (SFS) were evaluated by correlating scores on these measures with reactions to inhalation of 35% carbon dioxide (CO2), assessed via anxiety ratings, panic symptom intensity, tidal volume (VT) and respiratory rate (RR). A sample of 14 PD patients and 14 matched control (MC) participants demonstrated that the relationship between ASI scores and responses to 35% CO2 were stronger than the relationship between SFS scores and responses to CO2. Specifically, both respiratory responses (VT and RR) and self-reported reactions (anxiety and symptom intensity) were significantly correlated with scores on the ASI. In contrast, scores on the SFS were significantly correlated with only one measure of respiratory change (VT). Although preliminary, these data indicate that the ASI may be a more useful tool than the SFS in predicting self-reported and respiratory responses to CO2 challenges.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

How does interoceptive exposure for panic disorder work? An uncontrolled case study.

To examine the influence of interoceptive exposure (IE) when used alone in the treatment of Panic Disorder (PD), 17 PD patients were presented with six IE sessions, using 35% CO2 as the exposure medium. The data indicate that IE alone is effective in reducing panic, panic-related fears, and general anxiety. However, the positive effects of IE do not appear to extend to agoraphobia, related fears, or depressed mood. Two distinct within-session patterns of fear response to IE were noted, one indicating habituation and the other indicating a lack of fear reduction. Although both patterns were associated with reductions in panic and anxiety following IE, the Habituators appeared to have a more positive outcome, which occurred more rapidly. These data suggest that IE may operate via two different pathways. Implications for understanding fear reduction are discussed, along with directions for future study.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The utility of the Fear Survey Schedule-III: an extended replication.

This investigation examined the factor structure of the Fear Survey Schedule-III in patients with specific anxiety disorders, including patients with panic disorder, agoraphobia without panic, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, specific phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorder NOS. Four factors were obtained, reflecting a similar structure as has been noted in other studies. However, the ability of the obtained factors to discriminate among patients with panic disorder, social phobia, and specific phobia was not high. Future directions are highlighted.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Posttraumatic stress disorder in older adults: a conceptual review.

Issues that are salient in understanding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in older adults are examined in this review. Although this issue has received scattered attention in the literature since introduction of the diagnosis of PTSD to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1980, it is clear that numerous conceptual and defining questions exist in our understanding of the aftermath of trauma exposure in older adults. In approaching this issue, studies pertaining to diagnostic status as well as broader dimensions of psychosocial functioning are examined. Concerns that are unique to older adults are highlighted throughout, with particular attention to areas where additional research is warranted.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Do panic symptom profiles influence response to a hypoxic challenge in patients with panic disorder? A preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined how panic symptom profiles affect response to a hypoxic laboratory challenge in patients with panic disorder. METHODS: Seven patients whose naturally occurring panic attacks were characterized by prominent respiratory symptoms (Resp subgroup) were compared and contrasted with seven patients who did not report respiratory symptoms during panic attacks (NonResp subgroup). All were administered a novel 12% O2 challenge and assessed with measures of tidal volume, respiratory rate, end-tidal CO2, anxiety, and panic symptoms. RESULTS: Although the Resp and NonResp subgroups showed equivalent increases in anxiety and panic symptoms, the Resp subgroup showed greater fluctuation in tidal volume during and after the challenge as well as overall lower levels of end-tidal CO2. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest the importance of panic symptom profiles in determining respiratory responses to a hypoxic challenge in patients with panic disorder. These findings are discussed in light of current theories of panic disorder, with particular attention to respiratory disturbances in this disorder.

Adult↗