Progressive Multimedia Exposure for Specific Phobias: A Clinical Case of Claustrophobia and Acrophobia

Abstract

We present a multimedia exposure intervention for specific phobias using images and videos in a specific case of claustrophobia and acrophobia. The patient was a 47-year-old woman named “Jane” (anonymized name) who was diagnosed with fear of heights (acrophobia) and fear of confined spaces and enclosed areas (claustrophobia). The procedure was a single-case A-B design with several concurrent baselines, pre-post measurements, and two follow-ups (6 and 12 months). For the assessment, there were several questionnaires on anxiety and phobias and the continuous evaluation of anxiety and heart rate during treatment assays for each session. The treatment consisted of eight sessions of progressive multimedia exposure: images, videos, and in vivo settings. The results showed a decrease in the score for pre-post questionnaires (Z = −4.196, p < .0010) and also a total decrease in anxiety in the different baselines (PND 100%). The benefits were maintained during 1 year of follow-up. After the treatment, “Jane” could be confronted with situations she previously feared, such as being on floors of different levels (up to ninth floor), in closed places, in crowded elevators, and traveling on buses and trains for long distances.