Controlled comparison of computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live exposure in the treatment of spider phobia

Forty-five participants diagnosed as having specific phobia of spiders were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (a) computer-aided vic arious exposure; (b) therapist-delivered live exposure; (c) relaxation plac ebo. Each group received three 45-minute sessions. Phobic symptom severity was measured at pretreatment, posttreatment, and at a 3-month follow-up ass essment with the Spider Questionnaire, Fear Questionnaire, Phobic Targets a nd Work Adjustment Ratings Scale, and a Behavioral Assessment Test with Sub jective Units of Distress Rating Scale. The results showed that the compute r-aided vicarious exposure was an effective treatment for spider phobia and comparable to live exposure therapy in significantly reducing phobic sympt oms. Both the computer and live exposure treatments were more effective tha n the relaxation placebo treatment.