Potential Predictors of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Fear of Flying: Anxiety Sensitivity, Self-efficacy and the Therapeutic Alliance

K. Meyerbröker; N.  Morina; G.A. Kerkhof; P.M.G.  Emmelkamp

doi:10.1007/s10608-021-10269-7

Potential Predictors of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Fear of Flying: Anxiety Sensitivity, Self-efficacy and the Therapeutic Alliance

K. Meyerbröker
, N. Morina
, G.A. Kerkhof
, P.M.G. Emmelkamp

University of Münster

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

Abstract

Background

The efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) for fear of flying has been well established. Yet, little is known about the extent to which anxiety sensitivity and self-efficacy predict the efficacy of VRET. We aimed at investigating these cognitive predictors as well as the contribution of the therapeutic alliance to treatment outcome.

Methods

In a within-subjects design with 67 patients with fear of flying, four sessions of an exposure-based treatment using VRET were given. Sessions were held every week, each consisting of two virtual flights of 25 min.

Results

Results showed that pre-treatment levels of anxiety sensitivity, initial improvement in self-efficacy (and not pre-treatment levels of self-efficacy), and the quality of the therapeutic alliance significantly predicted treatment outcome.

Conclusions

The findings provide evidence that initial changes in self-efficacy, pre-treatment anxiety sensitivity, and therapeutic alliance are significant predictors of response to VRET for specific phobia.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	646-654
Number of pages	9
Journal	Cognitive Therapy and Research
Volume	46
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-021-10269-7
Publication status	Published - Jun 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (Academy professorship awarded to Paul Emmelkamp).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Keywords

Anxiety sensitivity
Self-efficacy
Therapeutic alliance
Treatment outcome predictors
Virtual reality exposure therapy

Access to Document

10.1007/s10608-021-10269-7

s10608-021-10269-7Final published version, 574 KBLicence: Taverne

Cite this

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title = "Potential Predictors of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Fear of Flying: Anxiety Sensitivity, Self-efficacy and the Therapeutic Alliance",

abstract = "Background The efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) for fear of flying has been well established. Yet, little is known about the extent to which anxiety sensitivity and self-efficacy predict the efficacy of VRET. We aimed at investigating these cognitive predictors as well as the contribution of the therapeutic alliance to treatment outcome. Methods In a within-subjects design with 67 patients with fear of flying, four sessions of an exposure-based treatment using VRET were given. Sessions were held every week, each consisting of two virtual flights of 25 min. Results Results showed that pre-treatment levels of anxiety sensitivity, initial improvement in self-efficacy (and not pre-treatment levels of self-efficacy), and the quality of the therapeutic alliance significantly predicted treatment outcome. Conclusions The findings provide evidence that initial changes in self-efficacy, pre-treatment anxiety sensitivity, and therapeutic alliance are significant predictors of response to VRET for specific phobia.",

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AU - Kerkhof, G.A.

AU - Emmelkamp, P.M.G.

N1 - Funding Information: This study was supported by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (Academy professorship awarded to Paul Emmelkamp). Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

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AB - Background The efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) for fear of flying has been well established. Yet, little is known about the extent to which anxiety sensitivity and self-efficacy predict the efficacy of VRET. We aimed at investigating these cognitive predictors as well as the contribution of the therapeutic alliance to treatment outcome. Methods In a within-subjects design with 67 patients with fear of flying, four sessions of an exposure-based treatment using VRET were given. Sessions were held every week, each consisting of two virtual flights of 25 min. Results Results showed that pre-treatment levels of anxiety sensitivity, initial improvement in self-efficacy (and not pre-treatment levels of self-efficacy), and the quality of the therapeutic alliance significantly predicted treatment outcome. Conclusions The findings provide evidence that initial changes in self-efficacy, pre-treatment anxiety sensitivity, and therapeutic alliance are significant predictors of response to VRET for specific phobia.

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Potential Predictors of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Fear of Flying: Anxiety Sensitivity, Self-efficacy and the Therapeutic Alliance

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

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