Multimedia intervention for specific phobias: A clinical and experimental study

Abstract

Background: Exposure is the treatment of choice for specific phobias. We present an experimental and clinical study on the efficacy of the progressive multimedia exposure procedure for specific phobias. Method: The sample size consisted of 36 individuals, 7 men and 29 women (mean age: 29 years old), with different types of specific phobias. A combined between-groups (3x4) with repeated measures design was used, including several follow-ups up to 3 years. Participants were assigned to different groups: Experimental (10), Waiting List (12), and Control (14). As an evaluation method, a Behavioural Avoidance Test (BAT) with subjective anxiety and heart rate was used for images and videos, plus general and specific anxiety questionnaires for each phobia. The intervention was carried out in four phases of multimedia exposure: photographs, videos, simulated stimuli, and real stimulation. Results: Anxiety and avoidance were significantly reduced in the experimental group, with a very large effect size (between d = 1.37 and 5.37). There were no significant changes in either the Control Group or the Waiting List Group. Conclusions: The treatment had a clinically significant impact on the daily life of the participants. This multimedia procedure was shown to be effective and to use few resources, thus allowing it to always be adapted to the individual characteristics of the participants.