Feasibility of an Online Modeled Exposure in Spider Fearful Individuals

The treatment of various anxiety disorders often involves exposure therapy. However, a considerable number of patients do not benefit or experience a resurgence of anxiety following successful treatment. Vicarious safety learning (i.e., modeled exposure) presents a promising avenue to improve therapeutic outcome. Previous evidence indicates that vicarious safety learning can diminish previously acquired fear associations, thereby reducing behavioral avoidance. While single-session interventions have implemented modeled exposure, specific mechanisms of observational learning have not been extensively investigated. Due to high dropout rates in specific phobias, modeled exposure could be utilized as an additional treatment method, potentially yielding better outcomes trough additional learning experience. This study aims to investigate the applicability of observational learning and its sustainability through mental retrieval cues. Specifically, the study is going to assess the feasibility of modeled exposure conveyed either live or online via video, offering a practical approach within a stepped-care framework. The modeled exposure treatment will be followed by a group exposure treatment to assess the influence of modeled exposure in spider-fearful individuals. Physically healthy spider-fearful individuals will be either treated with an online or live modeled standardized exposure followed by a group exposure treatment. Half of the participants will receive a mental retrieval cue before the group exposure treatment one day after the modeled exposure treatment. The research aims to determine if long-term reduction of spider fear is achievable through online modeled exposure via video compared to in-person modeled exposure.