Blink rate variability in patients with panic disorder: New trial using audiovisual stimulation

Abstract

Several lines of evidence have implicated central dopaminergic pathways in the modulation of spontaneous blink rate (BR). Furthermore, previous studies have indicated a relationship between spontaneous BR and anxiety and/or depression. However, to our knowledge, there is no report on the examination of BR in a group of patients with panic disorder (PD). During the conditions of rest and with audiovisual stimulation, exposed to a video of imaginary experiences, such as driving a motor vehicle or diving into the sea, BR was examined in 11 male patients with PD and compared with the BR of 16 age-matched normal controls. The BR was significantly higher in PD patients relative to normal controls under both conditions. In particular, the PD group had a higher BR score during the sea scene as relaxation compared with the normal controls. In conclusion, although the sample size was small the present preliminary study, these findings suggest that BR may have potential for application in the assessment of anxiety state, which is consistent with previous studies.

Revisiting the association between hypnotisability and blink rate

“…In contrast, higher MW scores have been found in a subtype of highs, i.e., those exhibiting higher dissociative tendencies (Marcusson-Clavertz et al 2012). Finally, the trait of anxiety and the state of relaxation experienced by participants during experimental sessions were considered owing to the higher BR observed in panic disorders patients (Kojima et al 2002) and in aversive contexts such as picture viewing, exteroceptive threat, conditioning and narrative imagery (McTeague and Lang 2012).…”

Spontaneous Interblink Time Distributions in Patients with Graves' Orbitopathy and Normal Subjects

“…Mental effects may explain the high variability shown by our subjects during 1 hour of video observation. SBR is increased during conversation, states of anxiety, 20 and fatigue 21 and is reduced when the subject reads 22 or views a text on a video display. [23][24][25] It is possible that attentional factors, fatigue, and fluctuations in interest in the video interacted here to produce the variability displayed in Figures 1 and 2.…”

Relationship between Corneal Sensation, Blinking, and Tear Film Quality

“…6 It is strongly influenced by external factors, psychological and physiological influences, and activity-related factors. 6 Blink rate increases during anxiety, 8 visual fatigue, 9 sleep deprivation, 10 driving, 11 flying, 12 and tasks that require speech. 13 It is reduced during reading or when concentrating on a text on video display: 14 the more difficult the task, the greater the resulting blink inhibition will be.…”