Background : It is reported that many types of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorder, are related with abnormal brain wave activity, and neurofeedback is associated with clinical improvement in generalized anxiety, OCD, phobic disorder, and PTSD. But in panic disorder, previous studies with neurofeedback are very lacking. Therefore, in this study, the author applied neurofeedback to patients with panic disorder, refractory to cognitive- behavioral therapy and medication.
Methods : From March 2 to May 15 in 2005, six patients with a panic disorder had received 20 sessions of neurofeedback training. The author evaluated the treatment effect by using the alteration of K-APPQ score, the frequency of panic attack, medication and individual handicap.
Results : All 6 patients completed 20 sessions of neurofeedback training. At the end, the score of total APPQ, agoraphobia, and interoceptive fear was decreased (P= 0.028) and the frequency of panic attack, medication, and individual handicap was also decreased.
Conclusion : Neurofeedback training was successful in reducing panic symptom severity, frequency and individual handicap. A controlled study on a larger population is strongly recommended.
Background : Although proactive screening for sexual dysfunction in primary care has been emphasized as an important part of comprehensive care, doctors seldom ask their patients about their sexual function. Worry about patients' responses was reckoned as a major barrier, but few studies have dealt with how patients feel and what they want. This study was aimed to describe and analyze the attitudes of patients toward proactive screening for sexual dysfunction.
Methods : A set of self-administered questionnaire was given to every patients who visited a family medicine clinic in a university hospital for 2 weeks from March 16, 2005.
Results : A total of 185 patients were analyzed. Among them, 72.4% were willing to consult their physician when they were in trouble with their sexual function, and 84.3% said proactive screening for sexual dysfunction was necessary. Many patients did not care about 'when to be asked' and wanted to be asked in face-to-face interview rather than by a questionnaire. Sentence emphasizing that every patient is given the same question was most preferred.
Conclusion : Patients' attitude toward proactive screening for sexual dysfunction in primary care was generally positive. Patients preferred to be asked ;I ask every patient about his sexual problem. If you're OK, I ask you about your sexual problem.; regardless of timing, during the interview.