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Internet Delivered Images for Exposure in Specific Phobia, Design Considerations for Self-directed Therapy
Citation
Kirkby, KC and Matthews, AJ and Scanlan, JD, Internet Delivered Images for Exposure in Specific Phobia, Design Considerations for Self-directed Therapy, Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine, 8 pp. 73-76. ISSN 1554-8716 (2010) [Refereed Article]
DOI: doi:10.3233/978-1-60750-561-7-73
Abstract
Abstract. Exposure to phobic stimuli in subjects with specific phobia typically results in increased anxiety,
ranging from mild to severe, followed by gradual habituation. The Internet is a candidate medium for the
delivery of phobic stimuli to phobic subjects, such as pictures, video clips or computer animations. Delivery
of such images in home settings warrants careful attention to the range and time course of anxiety responses
elicited, and to tailoring of progression through hierarchies of images. The agency of the user is paramount,
they need to have the final say at all stages of exposure as to whether to proceed or not. We have
incorporated solutions to these requirements in the design of an internet-based exposure program
(FEARDROP). This employs a database repository of pictures and videos of phobic stimuli. Images are
called up by the user engaging a tracking circle with their mouse and following it around the screen. The
image fades out if the circle is not followed, a form of ‘dead man’s brake’. Anxiety responses are measured
at intervals on a visual analogue scale and graphed for the user. Initial results show substantial habituation
to spider pictures within minutes, with a controlled comparison to video images in progress.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | Specific phobia, exposure, anxiety, design, spider |
Research Division: | Psychology |
Research Group: | Clinical and health psychology |
Research Field: | Health psychology |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Public health (excl. specific population health) |
Objective Field: | Mental health |
UTAS Author: | Kirkby, KC (Professor Kenneth Kirkby) |
UTAS Author: | Matthews, AJ (Dr Allison Matthews) |
UTAS Author: | Scanlan, JD (Dr Joel Scanlan) |
ID Code: | 75489 |
Year Published: | 2010 |
Deposited By: | Psychology |
Deposited On: | 2012-02-01 |
Last Modified: | 2012-02-01 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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