Can a one-hour session of exposure treatment modulate startle response and reduce spider fears?

Abstract

Preliminary evidence suggests that 3 hours of behavior therapy can reduce fear responses to phobic stimuli. Most of this research, however, has relied on self-reports and clinician assessments, and failed to include a comparison group. To extend this literature, with 32 adults with spider phobia, we investigated the effects of a single hour of in vivo exposure on subjective and electrophysiological aspects of fear; comparisons were made to a wait-list control group. Pre- and post-assessments included phobia-relevant questionnaires and startle reflex responses to spider, negative, neutral and positive stimuli. Compared to the control group, our one-hour treatment reduced self-reported and physiological responses to spider stimuli. These data provide preliminary support for the ability of affective startle modulation to be changed by very brief exposure therapy.