comunitat-uji-handle:10234/9
comunitat-uji-handle2:10234/8033
comunitat-uji-handle3:10234/8636
comunitat-uji-handle4:
INVESTIGACION
Resumen
Background: Flying phobia (FP) is a common and disabling mental disorder. Although in vivo exposure is the
treatment of choice, it is linked to a number of limitations in its implementation. Particularly important, ... [+]
Background: Flying phobia (FP) is a common and disabling mental disorder. Although in vivo exposure is the
treatment of choice, it is linked to a number of limitations in its implementation. Particularly important, is the
limited access to the feared stimulus (i.e., plane). Moreover, the economic cost of in vivo exposure should be
specially considered as well as the difficulty of applying the exposure technique in an appropriate way; controlling
important variables such as the duration of the exposure or the number of sessions. ICTs could help to reduce
these limitations. Computer-assisted treatments have remarkable advantages in treating FP. Furthermore, they can
be delivered through the Internet, increasing their advantages and reaching more people in need. The Internet has
been established as an effective way to treat a wide range of mental disorders. However, as far as we know, no
controlled studies exist on FP treatment via the Internet. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an Internetbased
treatment for FP (NO-FEAR Airlines) versus a waiting list control group. Secondary objectives will be to explore
two ways of delivering NO-FEAR Airlines, with or without therapist guidance, and study the patients’ acceptance of
the program. This paper presents the study protocol.
Methods/design: The study is a randomized controlled trial. A minimum of 57 participants will be randomly
assigned to three conditions: a) NO-FEAR Airlines totally self-applied, b) NO-FEAR Airlines with therapist guidance, or
c) a waiting list control group (6 weeks). Primary outcomes measures will be the Fear of Flying Questionnaire-II and
the Fear of Flying Scale. Secondary outcomes will be included to assess other relevant clinical measures, such as the
Fear and Avoidance Scales, Clinician Severity Scale, and Patient’s Improvement scale. Analyses of post-treatment flights
will be conducted. Treatment acceptance and preference measures will also be included. Intention-to-treat and per
protocol analyses will be conducted.
Discussion: An Internet-based treatment for FP could have considerable advantages in managing in vivo exposure
limitations, specifically in terms of access to treatment, acceptance, adherence, and the cost-effectiveness of the
intervention. This is the first randomized controlled trial to study this issue.
Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02298478. Trial registration date 3 November 2014. [-]
Derechos de acceso
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess