An Internet-based treatment for flying phobia (NO-FEAR Airlines): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campos, Daniel; Bretón-López, Juana; Botella, Cristina; Mira, Adriana; Castilla, Diana; Baños, Rosa; Tortella-Feliu, Miquel; Quero, Soledad
• Is Part Of: BMC psychiatry. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Internet-based exposure -- Virtual reality -- Randomized controlled trial -- Flying phobia -- Self-help; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1186/s12888-016-0996-1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-244X

Abstract

Abstract Background Flying phobia (FP) is a common and disabling mental disorder. Although in vivoexposure 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 vivoexposure 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 Internet-based treatment for FP (NO-FEAR Airlines ) versus a waiting list control group. Secondary objectives will be to explore two ways of deliveringNO-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 theFear of Flying Questionnaire-II and theFear of Flying Scale . Secondary outcomes will be included to assess other relevant clinical measures, such as theFear and Avoidance Scales, Clinician Severity Scale, andPatient'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 vivoexposure 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.