Akute und verzögerte Effekte von Alprazolam auf Flughobiker während Exposition in vivo

Conducted a test to determine if a benzodiazepine would enhance or hinder the therapeutic effects of exposure. The test consisted in assessing the therapeutic effects of alprazolam on flight phobics by means of questionnaires and ambulatory recordings. Physiological measures included heart rate, skin conductance levels and fluctuations, finger temperature and respiratory arrhythmia. The test was conducted by means of 2 flights 1 week apart, using 28 female Subjects with flying phobia, who were administered alprazolam and placebos in different sequences and combinations. A control group of 14 non-phobic Subjects was used for comparison purposes. Study results indicate that alprazolam increases physiological activation under acute stress conditions and hinders therapeutic effects of exposure in flight phobics. ((c) 1998 APA/PsycINFO, all rights reserved)