One Session Group Treatment of Spider Phobia by Direct or Modelled Exposure

Exposure therapy is the most effective treatment for specific phobias. The one-session procedure is a further development of the effectiveness of exposure therapy. The aims of this study were to determine whether a modelled version of exposure is also effective and what kind of efficiency gradient different procedures produce. A total of 38 patients with spider phobia participated in the study. They were assigned randomly to 3 different procedures: (i) direct exposure; (ii) model exposure; or (iii) video exposure. Diagnosis was established with DSM-III-R and the Fear Survey Schedule. Self-report questionnaires assessed cognitions, body sensation symptoms, self-efficacy and long-term effect evaluation. The results gave a significant time effect for cognitions, body sensations and self-efficacy. There was also a significant time effect and interaction for the evaluation of treatment and a time by group interaction for self-efficacy. Direct exposure seemed to produce the best long-term results.