I too have used distraction as a personal coping technique for panic attacks. I've found it most useful in learning to deal with a panic attack before it happens.
However, I've found cognitive behavioral therapy to be very useful as well, in addition to relaxation techniques, and learning to cope with stress in general. Personally I found that as I worked towards becoming panic attack free, it was a gradual process with a few breakthroughs. The effects of things like making sure I ate a good diet, making sure I was getting enough sleep, and learning to relax in general, were all cumulative.
Over time, all of those things improved how I dealt with panic attacks, until I was panic attack free.