Comparison of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral one-session exposure treatments for small animal phobias

Pathways to change in one-session exposure with and without cognitive intervention: An exploratory study in spider phobia

“…Also, there was a considerable decrease in phobia-related cognitions in both groups (a path). These findings are in accord with those of previous studies (Arntz & Lavy, 1992;Koch et al, 2004).…”

“…Several empirical studies confirm that the use of cognitive interventions (slightly) enhances treatment outcome (Bryant et al, 2008;Clark et al, 2006;Mattick, Peters, & Clarke, 1989;McMillan & Lee, 2010;Salkovskis, Hackman, Wells, Gelder, & Clark, 2007). Other studies, by contrast, have not found enhanced treatment effects when cognitive interventions were added to a behavioral treatment (Feske & Chambless, 1995;Koch, Spates, & Himble, 2004;Whittal, Thordarson, & McLean, 2005).…”

“…These studies found no differences between both versions of exposure, nor in general treatment effect, nor in the amount of cognitive change that was established (Koch et al, 2004). This suggests that the addition of cognitive interventions does not result in additional benefits.…”

“…In the context of spider phobia or animal phobia in general, several studies have already compared behavioral treatment (exposure) to cognitive-behavioral treatment (exposure with cognitive interventions) (e.g., Arntz & Lavy, 1992;Koch et al, 2004). These studies found no differences between both versions of exposure, nor in general treatment effect, nor in the amount of cognitive change that was established (Koch et al, 2004).…”

Naltrexone renders one-session exposure therapy less effective: A controlled pilot study

“…treated with one-session in vivo exposure in 3 h or less and have maintained a significant reduction in the key symptoms of fear and avoidance at subsequent 1-year follow-up sessions (Koch, Spates, & Himle, 2004). Behavioral interpretations have been put forth to explain the mechanism of action that produces such effective and reliable outcomes.…”