Systematic Desensitization for Treating Specific Phobia of Earthworms: An In Vivo Exposure Study

1997 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 39-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Peter Muris ◽

Harald Merckelbach

Keyword(s):

Treatment Outcome ◽

Eye Movement ◽

Specific Phobia ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Exposure Group ◽

Imaginal Exposure ◽

Avoidance Test ◽

Behavioural Avoidance

The present study examined the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the treatment of a specific phobia. Twenty-four spider phobic subjects were randomly assigned to either (1) an EMDR group (n=8), (2) an imaginal exposure group (n=8), or (3) a control group (n=8). Both the EMDR and the imaginal exposure group underwent a one-hour treatment. The control group initially received no treatment, and waited for one hour. Next, all groups received exposure in vivo. Treatment outcome was evaluated with a standardized Behavioural Avoidance Test (BAT). No evidence was found for EMDR being more effective than imaginal exposure or waiting list control. In fact, only exposure in vivo therapy resulted in significant improvement on the BAT.

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Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing versus exposure in vivo

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.171.1.82 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 171 (1) ◽

pp. 82-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Peter Muris ◽

Harald Merckelbach ◽

Hans Van Haaften ◽

Birgit Mayer

Keyword(s):

Eye Movement ◽

Skin Conductance ◽

Skin Conductance Level ◽

Specific Phobia ◽

Self Report ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Additional Value ◽

Conductance Level

BackgroundEye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a relatively new therapeutic technique that has been proposed as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety complaints.MethodWe compared the efficacy of EMDR with that of exposure in viv. in the treatment of a specific phobia. Twenty-two spider-phobic children who met the DSM – III – R criteria for specific phobia participated in the study. Children were treated with one session of exposure in viv. and one session of EMDR in a crossover design. Treatment outcome was evaluated by self-report measures, a behavioural avoidance test and a physiological index (skin conductance level).ResultsResults showed positive effects of EMDR, but also suggest that it is especially self-report measures that are sensitive to EMDR. Improvement on a behavioural measure was less pronounced, and exposure in viv. was found to be superior in reducing avoidance behaviour. With regard to skin conductance level, EMDR and exposure in viv. did not differ.ConclusionsEMDR has no additional value in treatment of this type of animal phobia, for which exposure in viv. is the treatment of choice.

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A Successful Adaptation of Systematic Desensitization in the Treatment of a Phobia of Babies

Behaviour Change ◽

10.1017/s0813483900008810 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 59-64

Author(s):

Michael Free ◽

Margaret Beekhuis

Keyword(s):

Young Woman ◽

Skin Conductance ◽

Treatment Strategy ◽

Physiological Measures ◽

Systematic Desensitization ◽

Physiological Measure ◽

One Year

A case study is presented of a young woman with an unusual phobia, a fear of babies. Barabasz's (1977) technique of systematic desensitization using psycho-physiological measures was chosen as the main treatment strategy. Difficulties arose as the client was unable to visualise scenes involving babies. Nor could she look at photographs of babies long enough for the hierarchy to be ordered using a psycho-physiological measure (skin conductance). A set of photographs was eventually used for the hierarchy, but it was ordered in terms of the length of time the client could look at the various photographs. Systematic desensitization was carried out using the set of photographs instead of imaginary scenes, together with some in vivo exposure in the latter stages of treatment. At termination the client could approach babies without discomfort. Improvement was maintained at one year follow-up.

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Treatment of a boy's school phobia with in vivo systematic desensitization.

Professional School Psychology ◽

10.1037/h0090590 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 285-293 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Daniel D. Houlihan ◽

Robert N. Jones

Keyword(s):

Systematic Desensitization ◽

School Phobia

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Abnormal Psychology A life stress instrument for classroom use. Michael J.Renner and R.Scott Mackin A humorous demonstration of in vivo systematic desensitization: The case of eraser phobia

Handbook for Teaching Introductory Psychology ◽

10.4324/9781410604927-25 ◽

2001 ◽

pp. 248-253

Keyword(s):

Life Stress ◽

Systematic Desensitization ◽

Abnormal Psychology ◽

Classroom Use

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CBT for a Person With Schizophrenia: Systematic Desensitization for Phobias Led to Positive Symptom Improvement

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s1352465804002024 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 249-254 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Robert Dudley ◽

Jaime Dixon ◽

Douglas Turkington

Keyword(s):

Successful Treatment ◽

Specific Phobia ◽

Positive Symptom ◽

Psychotic Symptoms ◽

Symptom Improvement ◽

Systematic Desensitization ◽

Antipsychotic Medications ◽

Affective Symptoms ◽

Effect Of Treatment

Affective symptoms are often present and under-treated in schizophrenia. This case study reports the effect of treatment of a specific phobia and associated avoidance on the psychotic symptoms of a patient with medication resistant schizophrenia. The treatment of the specific phobia and agoraphobia followed a traditional systematic desensitization procedure. The successful treatment of the phobias led to improvements in psychotic symptoms. Previously, the client had only a limited response to a number of antipsychotic medications including clozapine but responded well to a traditional systematic desensitization program that produced positive consequences for the psychotic symptomatology. The clinical and theoretical aspects of this case are discussed.

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Hypnosis and the Desensitization Behavior Therapies

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1970.27.3.787 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 787-794 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Stuart B. Litvak

Keyword(s):

Systematic Desensitization ◽

Desensitization Therapy ◽

Mental Operations

A distinction is made between desensitization techniques carried out in vivo and other modes of desensitization therapy (flooding, implosion, and systematic desensitization) which rely upon mental operations or processes. Research is reviewed and points are discussed which support a position supporting a relationship between variables and phenomena found in the desensitization therapies and those found in hypnosis. This relationship appears to be greatest in those desensitization therapies basing treatment upon the utilization of mental operations. Some new lines of research are then proposed.

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