4.3.2 Capafons et al 1998

Question 1

what was it about

Answer 1

systematic desensitisation & fear or flying

Question 2

aim (2)

Answer 2

1. to investigate whether systematic desensitisations is an effective treatment of maladjusted fears.
2. specifically to investigate whether desensitisation is an effective treatment for a fear of flying.

Question 3

PROCEDURE (6)

Answer 3

1. sample- 41 volunteer ppts with a fear of flying, 20 randomly allocated to the treatment group and 21 were in the control group receiving no treatment.
2. Patients gave an interview using IDG-FV, an interview on their life history and aspects of their fear of flying.
3. EMV was used to measure anxiety in relation to different flight situation. EPAV=A and EPAV-B were used to measure the frequency of catastrophic thoughts and physiological symptoms. THE EPAV scales measured catastrophic thoughts and physiological anxiety.
4. A videotape of a plane trip was used which involved a person on a trip from packing a case to touching down at the destination.
5. Patients were asked a series of questions pre-and post- treatment. They were asked to rate how afraid of flying of they were and what symptoms they has whilst flying.
6. Patients were interviewed on their own, in the first interview they completed the IDG-V. They then came back to watch the video and have a psychophysiological assessment.
7. Before watching the video, patients had 3 minutes without the presence off phobic objects and then watched the video after being told to feel as involved as possible. After watching the video another appointment was made to either have the treatment or for the next assessment (control group)
8. Patients had about 2 one hour sessiond per week as part of the standardised desensitisation programme, they all had at least 12 sessions. The treatment involved the use of vivo and imagination techniques with an emphasis on the hierarchy, they used the techniques of stop thinking and brief relaxation.

Question 4

Results (2-3)

Answer 4

There was no difference in any of the measurement between the control groups and the treatment groups before treatment.

There was a significant difference between the control group and those who had treatment on all measures apart from the fear when there was no personal involvement and palm temperature.

Only 10% of patients who had the treatment did not have significant reduction in their fear level concerning flying.

Question 5

Conclusion (2-3)

Answer 5

systematic desensitisation is effective in reducing the fear of flying

the simple passage of time did not help reduce phobias as there was no improvement in the control groups.

Question 6

evaluation