AO1

• aim: to validate the effectiveness of systematic desensitisation as a treatment for a fear of flying
• participants recruited using a media campaign
• 41 participants volunteered
• 20 assigned to treatment condition, 12 female, 8 men
• 21 assigned to control, 12 female, 9 men
• various diagnostic scales used to measure fear of flying; IDG-FV, EPAV scales, measurement of heart rate, palm temperature and muscle tension
• 1. each participant was interviewed individually where they completed the IDG-FV scale
• 2. each participant then had a habituation session where they watched a video of a plane/flight and were asked to try and see themselves in the video as much as possible
• 3. an interview was then set up to discuss treatment
• 4. participants had 2x 1 hour sessions a week (12-15 total)
• sessions used traditional breathing techniques and involved in vivo and in vitro aspects
• 5. after treatment was complete, treatment and control groups came back to redo the questionnaire and watch same video
• control group before treatment; fear during flight EMV scale: 26.05
• control group after treatment; fear during flight EMV scale: 25.81
• treatment group before treatment; fear during flight EMV scale: 25.6
• treatment group after treatment; fear during flight EMV scale: 13.25
• both groups were fairly similar before treatment/8 weeks
• the control group results highlights that the mere passing of time did not lead to any reduction in the fear of flying
• the treatment group results highlights the significant reduction in fear following SD