The Computer Simulation for Triggering Anxiety in Panic Disorder Patients Modulates the EEG Alpha Power during an Oddball Task

Figures

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  Figure 1. Illustration of the experimental procedure.

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  Figure 2. The temporal sequence of the oddball visual task. The green-colored circle stimulus is the “frequent” or “standard” stimulus. The pink-colored circle is the “rare” or “deviant” or “target” stimulus. The number of standards presented between two deviants is pseudo-random [40].

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  Figure 3. Illustration of the computer simulation. The subjects were instructed to look at the center of the screen at all times. The animation was in a first-person perspective, and camera movement occurred as if the subject was walking and looking in different directions. The computer simulation for triggering anxiety is cognition-mediated technique that bridges still images and virtual reality. In the context, images are easy to manage and can be anxiogenic/panicogenic. On the other hand, it can be tailored to the patient’s needs, is interactive, induces meaningful sense of presence, and can to compare the effects of virtual reality sessions.

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  Figure 4. In relation to the Fp1 electrode, the analysis shows a decrease in the EEG alpha power in the experimental group when compared to control for moment M2 and M3. The interaction between group and moment for the left frontopolar cortex is demonstrated by mean ± standard error, and statistically significant difference is indicated with *, p ≤ 0.0125.

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  Figure 5. In relation to F3 electrode, the analysis shows differences between groups for all moments. The EEG alpha power decreases in the experimental group when compared to control. The interaction between group and moment for the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is demonstrated by mean ± standard error, and statistically significant differences are indicated with *, p ≤ 0.0125.

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  Figure 6. In relation to F7 electrode, the analysis shows an increase in the EEG alpha power in the experimental group when compared to control for M3 moment. The interaction between group and moment for the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex is demonstrated by mean ± standard error, and statistically significant difference is indicated with *, p ≤ 0.0125.

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  Figure 7. Main effect for group (p = 0.002). The EEG alpha power for Fp2 electrode decreases in the experimental group compared to the control group. The result is represented by the mean ± standard error and the statistically significant difference is indicated with *, p < 0.05.

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  Figure 8. Main effect for group (p = 0.001). The EEG alpha power for F4 electrode decreases in the experimental group compared to the control group. The result is represented by the mean ± standard error and the statistically significant difference is indicated with *, p < 0.05.

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  Figure 9. Main effect for group (p = 0.001). The EEG alpha power for F8 electrode decreases in the experimental group compared to the control group. The result is represented by the mean ± standard error and the statistically significant difference is indicated with *, p < 0.05).

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  Figure 10. Main effect for group (p = 0.002). Modification of the reaction time in relation to computer simulation for trigger anxiety. The result is represented by the mean ± standard error.