Computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live graded exposure for spider phobia in children

The efficacy of computer-aided vicarious exposure (CAVE) for the treatment of spider phobia in children was evaluated in a single blind, randomised, c ontrolled trial. Twenty-eight participants, aged 10 17 years, received thre e 45-min sessions of either Live graded exposure (LGE), CAVE or were assign ed to a Waitlist. Phobic symptomatology was measured at pre- and post-treat ment, and at one month follow-up on a range of behavioural and subjective a ssessments. The results showed the superiority of the LGE treatment over th e CAVE and Waitlist conditions. Effect sizes support CAVE treatment as bein g superior to the Waitlist and resulting in reductions of phobic symptomato logy. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.