Psychological approaches in the treatment of specific phobias: A meta-analysis
Meta-analysis of 33 studies to address questions surrounding the efficacy of psychological approaches in the treatment of specific phobia.
Article Abstract
“Data from 33 randomized treatment studies were subjected to a meta-analysis to address questions surrounding the efficacy of psychological approaches in the treatment of specific phobia. As expected, exposure-based treatment produced large effects sizes relative to no treatment. They also outperformed placebo conditions and alternative active psychotherapeutic approaches. Treatments involving in vivo contact with the phobic target also outperformed alternative modes of exposure (e.g., imaginal exposure, virtual reality, etc.) at post-treatment but not at follow-up. Placebo treatments were significantly more effective than no treatment suggesting that specific phobia sufferers are moderately responsive to placebo interventions. Multi-session treatments marginally outperformed single-session treatments on domain-specific questionnaire measures of phobic dysfunction, and moderator analyses revealed that more sessions predicted more favorable outcomes. Contrary to expectation, effect sizes for the major comparisons of interest were not moderated by type of specific phobia. These findings provide the first quantitative summary evidence supporting the superiority of exposure-based treatments over alternative treatment approaches for those presenting with specific phobia. Recommendations for future research are also discussed.”
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Wolitzky-Taylor, K. B., Horowitz, J. D., Powers, M. B., & Telch, M. J. (2008). Psychological approaches in the treatment of specific phobias: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 28(6), 1021-1037. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2008.02.007
Date
July 1, 2008
Creator(s)
Kate B. Wolitzky-Taylor, Jonathan D. Horowitz, Mark B. Powers
Contributor(s)
Michael J. Telch
Topics
Anxiety/Panic/Phobias
Extent
17 pages
Publisher
Elsevier
Rights
Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
APA Citation
Wolitzky-Taylor, K. B., Horowitz, J. D., Powers, M. B., & Telch, M. J. (2008). Psychological approaches in the treatment of specific phobias: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 28(6), 1021-1037. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2008.02.007
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Meta-analyses/Systematic Reviews, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource