Women with Panic Attacks Needed for UMaine Research
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571
ORONO — A University of Maine research team is investigating the stress response in women who suffer panic attacks. The researchers are looking for women to participate in the study.
UMaine psychology professor Sandy Sigmon and her graduate students are seeking women who experience the physiological sensations of panic attacks (difficulty breathing, racing heart, trembling, hot or cold flashes, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, chest pain, thoughts of death, etc.), typically lasting 10-15 minutes. Women who experience these symptoms, are postmenopausal and have a normal menstrual cycle (25-35 days) are eligible.
Participants will visit Sigmon’s lab twice . The first time, they will be asked questions about their symptoms, complete questionnaires, and give several saliva samples because the researchers are interested in the saliva-borne stress hormone cortisol. This session will take about two hours. Research participants will then monitor their daily symptoms for 30 days and return for a second lab visit, during which they will be asked to complete two brief tasks and give several saliva samples. This part will take about 90 minutes. For each part of the study, participants will be paid and can earn up to $75 for the entire study. Those who are interested in participating are asked to call Sigmon at 581-2034 and leave a message or email her at sandra.sigmon@umit.maine.edu.