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Comparative Study
. 2014 Jun;82(3):404-17.
doi: 10.1037/a0036023. Epub 2014 Mar 3.

Reaching new heights: comparing interpretation bias modification to exposure therapy for extreme height fear

Shari A Steinman  1 , Bethany A Teachman  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Reaching new heights: comparing interpretation bias modification to exposure therapy for extreme height fear

Shari A Steinman et al. J Consult Clin Psychol. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: Cognitive models of anxiety disorders posit that biases in interpretation maintain, and potentially cause, anxiety. This study tested whether it is possible to decrease height fear symptoms through cognitive bias modification for interpretations (CBM-I). Additionally, the clinical utility of CBM-I was tested by comparing it to an already established treatment: exposure therapy.

Method: Extremely height fearful individuals (N = 110) participated in the study. Acrophobic symptoms were measured before and after 2 sessions of CBM-I and were compared to the standard treatment for acrophobia (exposure therapy), a combination of CBM-I and exposure therapy, and a Control condition.

Results: In line with hypotheses, participants in the 3 active conditions showed greater response to treatment than the Control condition in height-relevant interpretation bias, symptoms, and behavioral avoidance on a height stressor, with few differences between the active conditions. Further, symptom change was mediated by change in interpretation bias.

Conclusions: Overall, findings suggest that different pathways to fear reduction (exposure vs. shifting interpretations) can lead to similar reductions in height fear. This study provides the first evidence that directly shifting cognitive processing, even with no therapist involvement, can reduce symptoms as effectively as the gold standard, therapist-directed exposure therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) diagram.
Figure 2a
Figure 2a
Change in Interpretation Bias
Figure 2b
Figure 2b
Change in Acrophobia Symptoms
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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Publication types

Supplementary concepts