Use of skills learned in CBT for fear of flying: Managing flying anxiety after September 11th

Abstract

Although there is evidence that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in the treatment for fear of flying (FOF), there are no studies that specifically examine which skills taught in treatment are being used by clients after treatment is completed. This study examines whether participants report using skills taught in treatment for FOF after treatment is completed and whether the reported use of these skills is associated with reduced flying anxiety in the face of fear-relevant event, the September 11th terrorist attacks, and over the long-term. One hundred fifteen participants were randomly assigned to and completed eight sessions of individual CBT treatment for FOF. Fifty-five participants were reassessed in June 2002, an average of 2.3 years after treatment. Surveys were also collected from 33 individuals who did not receive treatment for FOF. Results indicated that treatment completers were more likely to report using skills taught in treatment than individuals who had not received treatment. In addition, self-reported use of skills among previously treated individuals was associated with lower levels of flying anxiety. These findings suggest that use of skills taught in CBT treatment is associated with reduced flying anxiety in the face of a fear-relevant event and over the long term.

Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders

“…Fear of flying has been effectively treated with group CBT [ 319 , 320 ]. In addition, computer-generated VRE has demonstrated efficacy [ 319 , 321 - 324 ], which was comparable to standard exposure therapy in several studies [ 322 , 324 ], and can have long-term benefits [ 325 , 326 ]. Bibliotherapy was found to be less effective than VRE or CBT for patients with fear of flying [ 319 ].…”

“…Long-term treatment of specific phobia is rare. As discussed above, CBT and exposure therapies have demonstrated sustained benefits at long-term follow-up assessments [ 325 , 326 ].…”

Canadian clinical practice guidelines for the management of anxiety, posttraumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorders

“…Fear of flying has been effectively treated with group CBT [319,320]. In addition, computer-generated VRE has demonstrated efficacy [319,[321][322][323][324], which was comparable to standard exposure therapy in several studies [322,324], and can have long-term benefits [325,326]. Bibliotherapy was found to be less effective than VRE or CBT for patients with fear of flying [319].…”

mHealth: A Mechanism to Deliver More Accessible, More Effective Mental Health Care

“…They could also use the application to help overcome anxiety‐provoking situations that were previously not encountered. Research on individuals who were fearful of flying prior to 2001 suggested that those who drew upon skills they learned in therapy were able to reduce specific phobia symptoms after the September 11 attack (Kim et al, ). As such, mobile applications may provide a method to continue treatment gains after contact with a therapist has ended or provide a cost‐efficient method to provide care to those who are unable to continue with traditional in‐person treatment.…”