Abstract
Cognitive biases in panic disorder: a comparison between computerized and card stroop task. This study examines attentional biases in panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA) measured by two emotional Stroop formats: the card format and the computerised one. The aims of this work are (a) to compare the results obtained in both formats in the same sample and (b) to test whether these cognitive biases are automatic. In order to achieve the latter aim, the "backward pattern masking" procedure is used (MacLeod & Rutherfor d, 1992). Participants are 25 PDA individuals and 25 normal control subjects (CN). Results point out that the card format seems to be more sensitive in showing the attentional bias towards threatening information, since the computerised format fails to show this attentional bias. Re garding the level of processing involved, contrary to what happens in other anxiety disorders, PDA patients process threatening information selectively at a strategic level, but not at an automatic level.
