Lisa J. Gilroy

Controlled comparison of computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live exposure in the treatment of spider phobia

Forty-five participants diagnosed as having specific phobia of spiders were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (a) computer-aided vicarious exposure; (b) therapist-delivered live exposure; (c) relaxation placebo. Each group received three 45-minute sessions. Phobic symptom severity was measured at pretreatment, post-treatment, and at a 3-month follow-up assessment with the Spider Questionnaire, Fear Questionnaire, Phobic Targets and Work Adjustment Ratings Scale, and a Behavioral Assessment Test with Subjective Units of Distress Rating Scale. The results showed that the computer-aided vicarious exposure was an effective treatment for spider phobia and comparable to live exposure therapy in significantly reducing phobic symptoms. Both the computer and live exposure treatments were more effective than the relaxation placebo treatment.

Computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live graded exposure for spider phobia in children.

The efficacy of computer-aided vicarious exposure (CAVE) for the treatment of spider phobia in children was evaluated in a single blind, randomised, controlled trial. Twenty-eight participants, aged 10-17 years, received three 45-min sessions of either Live graded exposure (LGE), CAVE or were assigned to a Waitlist. Phobic symptomatology was measured at pre- and post-treatment, and at one month follow-up on a range of behavioural and subjective assessments. The results showed the superiority of the LGE treatment over the CAVE and Waitlist conditions. Effect sizes support CAVE treatment as being superior to the Waitlist and resulting in reductions of phobic symptomatology.

Long-term follow-up of computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live graded exposure in the treatment of spider phobia

This study investigated the long-term efficacy of three 45-minute sessions of live graded exposure, computer-aided vicarious exposure, or progressive muscle relaxation placebo for the treatment of spider phobia, and is a follow-up of the results previously reported by Gilroy, Kirkby, Daniels, Menzies, and Montgomery (2000). Forty-two out of 45 participants were assessed, using both subjective and behavioral assessments, at a mean of 33 months after completing treatment. The assessor was unaware of treatment group. Results showed significant improvement from pretreatment to 33-month follow-up across a range of measures in all treatment groups, although the group by time interaction was not statistically significant. Between 3-month and 33-month follow-up, no significant change was observed in any group, indicating sustained long-term improvement. The results support previous reports of the long-term efficacy of live graded exposure and indicate similar durable treatment outcome effects for computer-aided vicarious exposure.