Extinction Generalization in Exposure Therapy

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Specific Phobia
• Interventions: Behavioral: Exposure treatment for spider fear

• Registration Number: NCT03031002
• Lead Sponsor: Ruhr University of Bochum

Brief Summary

Patients with anxiety disorders oftentimes express fear responses to more than only one fear-inducing object. The principal aim of this study is to examine whether the beneficial effects of exposure on fear reduction in spider phobia can extend to stimuli which are conceptually similar to spiders (i.e. cockroaches), but have never been presented during the respective treatment.

Detailed Description

Fear extinction has evolved as the central mechanism underlying exposure-based treatments. Findings from conditioning studies indicate that fear reduction following a fear extinction procedure can generalize from the extinction stimulus to other conceptually and perceptually related stimuli. This study is aimed at translating these findings to a clinical application and will hence examine whether the basic principles of extinction generalization are applicable to exposure.

Patients with spider phobia will either receive two sessions of in-vivo exposure with spiders or no treatment. Prior to as well as after treatment, patient's fear of spiders will be assessed using the Behavioral Approach Test (BATs) and self-report questionnaires. In addition, BATs with cockroaches will be conducted to examine the effects of exposure therapy on extinction generalization.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2015-02
• Primary Completion: 2016-07
• Study Completion: 2016-07
• Status Verified: 2017-01
• Study First Submitted: 2017-01-14
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-01-24
• Last Update Submitted: 2017-01-24
• Study First Posted: 2017-01-25
• Last Update Posted: 2017-01-25

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 77

Inclusion Criteria

• spider phobia according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) -IV criteria

Exclusion Criteria

• any neurological or neuropsychiatric condition
• current behavioral or pharmacological treatment
• any mental disorder that is considered more severe than specific phobia

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Exposure Treatment	Exposure treatment for spider fear	Participants of this arm receive two 60-minute sessions of exposure treatment for spider fear

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in the Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) from pre- to posttreatment	Pre- and Posttreatment (with approximately 4 days between pre- and posttreatment)	Behavioral Approach Tests with Spiders and Cockroaches will be conducted at pre- and posttreatment. Here, the closest proximity a participant is able to attain to the spider/cockroach will be measured.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in the Spider Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ)	Pre- and Posttreatment (with approximately 4 days between pre- and posttreatment)
Change in Heart Rate during the Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs) from pre- to posttreatment	Pre- and Posttreatment (with approximately 4 days between pre- and posttreatment)	During each BAT with spiders and cockroaches, heart rate will be measured. In addition, a 5-minute baseline will be recorded prior to the first BAT at each assessment.
Change in the Spider Phobia Questionnaire (SPQ)	Pre- and Posttreatment (with approximately 4 days between pre- and posttreatment)
Change in the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ)	Pre- and Posttreatment (with approximately 4 days between pre- and posttreatment)
Change in Subjective Fear / Disgust during the Behavioral Approach Tests (BATs) using the Subjective Units of Distress Scale (SUDS)	Pre-and Posttreatment (with approximately 4 days between pre- and posttreatment)	Subjective Fear / Disgust during the Behavioral Approach will be assessed at the initial and final approach distances to the spider / cockroach during the respective BATs.