AnxietyNCT07432945
In Vivo Exposure vs. Videochat-Based Vicarious Exposure
A study testing In Vivo Exposure Training (IVET) and Vicarious Exposure Training (VicET) in people with Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders, run by Ruhr University of Bochum at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
After screening (including parts of the Mini-DIPS), participants will receive a pre-assessment with a baseline heartrate measurement, self-report measures and two BATs (with the treated spider and the non-treated spider). All participants receive a brief psychoeducation \& video demonstration of exposure steps. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders
- What is being tested?
- In Vivo Exposure Training (IVET) and Vicarious Exposure Training (VicET)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 72 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 26 Feb 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Presence of fear of spiders (Potential diagnosis of arachnophobia)
Who cannot join
- Reaching level 10 or higher in initial BATs
- Any acute or chronic mental disease more debilitating than fear of spiders
- Any debilitating acute or chronic somatic disease that prevents or counteracts exposure treatment effects (such as cardiovascular diseases)
- Heart Diseases (Pace makers, Bradycardia, Arterial Hypertonia, Heart Arrhythmia)
- Psychological, psychiatric, neurological or pharmacological treatment
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Pregnancy
- Insect Sting Allergy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Germany1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience
Bochum
Jan A Heistermann, M.Sc., (+49)02343228469, Jan.Heistermann@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
About this study
Official title: Comparison of Exposure Trainings for Spider Phobia (German Title: Vergleich Von Expositionstrainings für Spinnenangst)
After screening (including parts of the Mini-DIPS), participants will receive a pre-assessment with a baseline heartrate measurement, self-report measures and two BATs (with the treated spider and the non-treated spider). All participants receive a brief psychoeducation \& video demonstration of exposure steps. Participants are randomly assigned to the three study arms and are then set to receive a single session of either in vivo exposure (IVET), videochat based vicarious exposure (VicET) or neither (Waiting List Control, WLC). Approximately 24 hours later, the two BATs with both spiders, a slightly reduced set of self-report measures and an interview will conduct the post-assessment. The order of all BATs, the spider individuals (treated vs. non-treated spider) and assignment to study arms will be randomized using a list that will be worked through in a sequence determined using "www.random.org". At a six-week follow-up, another long-term assessment will be conducted. Here, participants will receive a brief online questionnaire related to their experiences with spiders and self-report measures that were previously administered. Participants previously assigned to the waiting list control (WLC) will be invited to participate in an in-vivo exposure session. A set of questionnaires including demographic information, VAS scales on the current psychological state and wellbeing (administered at the start and end of the first and second assessment day), the BDI-II, the STAI-T and STAI-S, FEE, SPQ, SBQ, FSQ, GSE, SEQ-SP, TC/E for treatment credibility and the "positive attitudes towards technology subscale" of the MTUA will be used. BDI-II, STAI and MTUA are only administered at pre-assessment. The SAS is used for initial screening.
Read the detailed description
Exposure therapy is an effective treatment for phobic fears and anxiety disorders that is considered in treatment guidelines as a first-choice treatment for e.g. specific phobia. However, many anxiety patients do not receive exposure therapy due to practical barriers (time, spaces, practitioner capacities) and reportedly negative treatment expectations of many clinicians. Previous studies on fear extinction and vicarious exposure suggest vicarious learning as a mechanism for treatment of anxiety. One central mechanism of exposure is fear extinction. Interestingly, fear extinction can be induced by the mere observation of videos of non-fearful individuals reacting placidly to a feared stimulus. The extent to which vicarious fear extinction is transferrable to an exposure context remains elusive. Previous studies on vicarious exposure yielded promising results, including a study on long-term effects. After a comparison of videochat based vicarious exposure therapy (VicET) with in-vivo exposure (IVET), the investigators will examine fear and disgust reactions. Further, the investigators will examine fear and disgust generalization. To the best of our knowledge, no study has considered generalization and disgust extinction in a comparison of in-vivo exposure (IVET) with vicarious exposure therapy (VicET) in a controlled laboratory setting. Furthermore, our study proposes a new approach of implementing vicarious exposure therapy as participants observe a spider phobia treatment via videochat. VicET yields potential to surpass aversive components of IVET which may have caused IVET to be more stress-inducing to patients and less acceptable to clinicians. Further, videochat based VicET might be expandable to treatment groups and patients held back by physical barriers, posing a potentially cost-effective treatment for e.g. waitlist patients.
The investigators hypothesize that both treatment groups (IVET \& VicET) will perform better than the waiting list control (WLC) group (indicated by stronger reductions in spider fear \& avoidance measures, namely increased BAT steps, reduction in heart rate \& SUDS fear ratings). The investigators further expect that IVET \& VicET will exhibit similar treatment gains (reduction in subjective fear, increase in behavioral approach and decreased heart rate in the BAT), leading to no significant differences in spider fear \& avoidance measures. It is predicted that generalization is effective in both the IVET and the VicET group (indicated by a reduction of fear \& avoidance measures from Pre-Generalization-BAT to Post-Generalization-BAT). Therefore, the investigators expect the WLC group to exhibit smaller symptom improvements in all BAT measures to the nontreated spider. Given the absence of previous studies examining disgust generalization, no specific hypotheses can be drawn. The investigators expect no differences in measures of spider fear between IVET \& VicET at follow-up, with the WLC group exhibiting higher levels of spider fear.
Further analyses will be conducted to investigate possible differences in IVET \& VicET regarding subjective fear during treatment (on a behavioral, subjective and psychophysiological level), disgust, self efficacy \& generalization. Questionnaires used in these analyses are listed as other outcome measures. An unexpected memory test will be inserted at post assessment to allow for investigation of memory for treatment experiences made during exposure therapy.
- Conditions
- Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders
- Being tested
- In Vivo Exposure Training (IVET), Vicarious Exposure Training (VicET)
- Keywords
- Exposure Therapy, Vicarious Exposure Therapy, Generalization of Exposure Effects, Disgust, Fear of Spiders, Anxiety Disorders, Specific Phobia
- Medical subject headings
- Anxiety Disorders, Arachnophobia, Phobia, Specific
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
In Vivo Exposure Training (IVET)Behavioural
Also called Exposure, Exposure Training
One session of graded in-vivo exposure with the treated spider. Prior to the exposure, participants receive psychoeducation on spiders, exposure therapy and specific phobia.
Vicarious Exposure Training (VicET)Behavioural
Also called Exposure, Exposure Training
One session of graded video-based vicarious exposure with the treated spider. The steps are modeled by the experimenter. Prior to the exposure, participants receive psychoeducation on spiders, exposure therapy and specific phobia.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| In Vivo Exposure (IVET) | Experimental | Participants are subjected to a pre-assessment (questionnaires and BATs with treated spider and non-treated spider) and an in-vivo exposure, exposing them to the treated spider by approaching it in a predetermined sequence of steps. For further analyses, subjective fear, subjective disgust \& heart rate are measured during treatment. Post assessment consists of two BATs (treated spider and non-treated spider) and questionnaires. An online follow-up consists of brief questionnaires. Receives: Behavioral: In Vivo Exposure Training (IVET) |
| Vicarious Exposure (VicET) | Experimental | Participants are set to receive a pre-assessment (questionnaires and BATs with treated spider and non-treated spider) and a vicarious exposure, exposing them to the treated spider by watching the experimenter approach it in a predetermined sequence of step (same as IVET) via two cameras. For further analyses, subjective fear, subjective disgust \& heart rate are measured during treatment. Post assessment consists of two BATs (treated spider and non-treated spider) and questionnaires. An online follow-up consists of brief questionnaires. Receives: Behavioral: Vicarious Exposure Training (VicET) |
| Waitinglist Control (WLC) | No intervention | Participants are set to receive a pre-assessment (questionnaires and BATs with treated spider and non-treated spider). Subsequent post-assessment consists of two BATs (treated spider and non-treated spider) and questionnaires. An online follow-up consists of brief questionnaires. Participants receive a session of IVET after assessment is completed. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Behavioral Approach Test (BAT)
Change in the Behavioral Approach Tests (BAT) from pre- to post-assessment. BATs are conducted with both the treated spider and the non-treated spider. In the Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) the closest distance that a participant approached the spider is measured (final approach distance).
Measured: Pre-Assessment (immediately prior to exposure for the IVET & VicET groups, which corresponds to the end of first assessment day for the WLC group as they receive exposure at the end of the study), Post-Assessment (the next day).
Subjective fear
Change in subjective fear from pre- to post-assessment is measured regarding the treated spider and the non-treated spider (SUDS scale during pre-assessment and post-assessment BATs). A comparison of the SUDS at the final approach distance at pre-assessment with the SUDS at the same distance at post-assessment (so called "initial approach") allows for an estimate of subjective fear reduction. Additionally, the change in subjective fear at the final approach distance from pre- to post-assessment can be observed. SUDS are measured on a scale from 0 (no fear) to 100 (highest possible fear).
Measured: At Pre-Assessment (during BATs, Day 1 & treatments), At Post-Assessment (during BATs, Day 2)
Subjective disgust
Change in subjective disgust from pre- to post-assessment is measured regarding the treated spider and the non-treated spider (SUDS scale during Pre-assessment and Post-assessment BAT). A comparison of the SUDS at the final approach distance at pre-assessment with the SUDS at the same distance at post-assessment (so called "initial approach") allows for an estimate of subjective disgust reduction. Additionally, the change in subjective disgust at the final approach distance from pre- to post-assessment can be observed. SUDS are measured on a scale from 0 (no disgust) to 100 (highest possible disgust).
Measured: Pre-Assessment (during BATs & treatments), Post-Assessment (during BATs)
Heart Rate
Change in mean heart rate from pre- to post-assessment BAT with treated spider and non-treated spider.
Measured: Pre-Assessment (during BATs) & Post-Assessment (during BATs). Measured throughout all of Pre-Assessment (including 5-minute resting heartrate measurement), all of Post-Assessment (including 5-minute resting heartrate measurement) & Treatment.
Secondary outcomes (2)
Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ; german: FAS)
Scores of spider fear ranging from 0 to 108 (sum), with higher scores indicative of greater fear.
Measured: Prior to the Pre-Assessment BATs (Day 1), after Post-Assessment BATs (Day 2, 24 hours later) and at Follow-Up (approx. 6 weeks after Day 2).
Spider Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ)
The questionnaire consists of 48 statements of phobia related beliefs. Subjects are asked to rate how much they agree to the statements. Higher scores are indicative of greater fear.
Measured: Prior to the Pre-Assessment BATs (Day 1), after Post-Assessment BATs (Day 2, 24 hours later) and at Follow-Up (approx. 6 weeks after Day 2).
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Feb 2026
- Study start26 Feb 2026
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (14)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for AnxietyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ruhr University of Bochum
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Armin Zlomuzica, Ruhr University of Bochum
- Investigators
- Armin Zlomuzica, Prof. Dr., Principal investigator, Ruhr University of Bochum
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07432945
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 1026
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 2 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Zlomuzica A, Raeder F, Reher S, Lange M, Dere E. Context-dependency of vicarious extinction learning. Behav Brain Res. 2025 Mar 28;482:115461. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2025.115461. Epub 2025 Jan 30.
PubMed 39892655Gilroy, L. J., Kirkby, K. C., Daniels, B. A., Menzies, R. G., & Montgomery, I. M. (2000). Controlled comparison of computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live exposure in the treatment of spider phobia. Behavior Therapy, 31(4), 733-744. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(00)80041-6
Rinck, M., Bundschuh, S., Engler, S., Müller, A., Wissmann, J., Ellwart, T., & Becker, E. S. (2002). Reliabilität und Validität dreier Instrumente zur Messung von Angst vor Spinnen. [Reliability and validity of German versions of three instruments measuring fear of spiders.]. Diagnostica, 48(3), 141-149. https://doi.org/10.1026//0012-1924.48.3.141
Szymanski J, O'Donohue W. Fear of Spiders Questionnaire. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1995 Mar;26(1):31-4. doi: 10.1016/0005-7916(94)00072-t.
PubMed 7642758Schienle, A., Walter, B., Stark, R., & Vaitl, D. (2002). Ein Fragebogen zur Erfassung der Ekelempfindlichkeit (FEE). Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, 31(2), 110-120. https://doi.org/10.1026/0084-5345.31.2.110
Rosen LD, Whaling K, Carrier LM, Cheever NA, Rokkum J. The Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale: An empirical investigation. Comput Human Behav. 2013 Nov 1;29(6):2501-2511. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2013.06.006.
PubMed 25722534Pössel, P., & Hautzinger, M. (2003). Dysfunktionale Überzeugungen bei Spinnenangst. Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, 32(1), 24-30. https://doi.org/10.1026/0084-5345.32.1.24
Ovanessian, M. M., Fairbrother, N., Vorstenbosch, V., McCabe, R. E., Rowa, K., & Antony, M. M. (2019). Psychometric Properties and Clinical Utility of the Specific Phobia Questionnaire in an Anxiety Disorders Sample. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 41(1), 36-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-018-9687-1
Laux, L., Glanzmann, P., Schaffner, P., & Spielberger, C. D. (1981). State-Trait-Angstinventar (STAI). Beltz.
Jerusalem, M., & Schwarzer, R. (1999). Skala zur Allgemeinen Selbstwirksamkeitserwartung (SWE). In Skalen zur Erfassung von Lehrer- und Schülermerkmalen: Dokumentation der psychometrischen Verfahren im Rahmen der wissenschaftlichen Begleitung des Modellversuchs Selbstwirksame Schulen.
Gilroy, L. J., Kirkby, K. C., Daniels, B. A., Menzies, R. G., & Montgomery, I. M. (2003). Long-term follow-up of computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live graded exposure in the treatment of spider phobia. Behavior Therapy, 34(1), 65-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(03)80022-9
Flatt, N., & King, N. (2009). The Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Phobic Situations (SEQ-SP): Development and Psychometric Evaluation. Behaviour Change, 26(2), 141-152. https://doi.org/10.1375/bech.26.2.141
Borkovec, T. D., & Nau, S. D. (1972). Credibility of analogue therapy rationales. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 3(4), 257-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(72)90045-6
Beck, A. T., Keller, F., & Kühner, C. (2006). Beck Depressions-Inventar: BDI II.Revision [Testmaterial]. Harcourt Test Services.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Exposure Trainings for Spider Phobia (German Title: Vergleich Von Expositionstrainings für Spinnenangst)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07432945
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 1026
- Conditions
- Anxiety, Anxiety Disorders
- Keywords
- Exposure Therapy, Vicarious Exposure Therapy, Generalization of Exposure Effects, Disgust, Fear of Spiders, Anxiety Disorders, Specific Phobia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 72 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ruhr University of BochumUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 26 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
After screening (including parts of the Mini-DIPS), participants will receive a pre-assessment with a baseline heartrate measurement, self-report measures and two BATs (with the treated spider and the non-treated spider). All participants receive a brief psychoeducation \& video demonstration of exposure steps. Participants are randomly assigned to the three study arms and are then set to receive a single session of either in vivo exposure (IVET), videochat based vicarious exposure (VicET) or neither (Waiting List Control, WLC). Approximately 24 hours later, the two BATs with both spiders, a slightly reduced set of self-report measures and an interview will conduct the post-assessment. The order of all BATs, the spider individuals (treated vs. non-treated spider) and assignment to study arms will be randomized using a list that will be worked through in a sequence determined using "www.random.org". At a six-week follow-up, another long-term assessment will be conducted. Here, participants will receive a brief online questionnaire related to their experiences with spiders and self-report measures that were previously administered. Participants previously assigned to the waiting list control (WLC) will be invited to participate in an in-vivo exposure session. A set of questionnaires including demographic information, VAS scales on the current psychological state and wellbeing (administered at the start and end of the first and second assessment day), the BDI-II, the STAI-T and STAI-S, FEE, SPQ, SBQ, FSQ, GSE, SEQ-SP, TC/E for treatment credibility and the "positive attitudes towards technology subscale" of the MTUA will be used. BDI-II, STAI and MTUA are only administered at pre-assessment. The SAS is used for initial screening.
Detailed description
Exposure therapy is an effective treatment for phobic fears and anxiety disorders that is considered in treatment guidelines as a first-choice treatment for e.g. specific phobia. However, many anxiety patients do not receive exposure therapy due to practical barriers (time, spaces, practitioner capacities) and reportedly negative treatment expectations of many clinicians. Previous studies on fear extinction and vicarious exposure suggest vicarious learning as a mechanism for treatment of anxiety. One central mechanism of exposure is fear extinction. Interestingly, fear extinction can be induced by the mere observation of videos of non-fearful individuals reacting placidly to a feared stimulus. The extent to which vicarious fear extinction is transferrable to an exposure context remains elusive. Previous studies on vicarious exposure yielded promising results, including a study on long-term effects. After a comparison of videochat based vicarious exposure therapy (VicET) with in-vivo exposure (IVET), the investigators will examine fear and disgust reactions. Further, the investigators will examine fear and disgust generalization. To the best of our knowledge, no study has considered generalization and disgust extinction in a comparison of in-vivo exposure (IVET) with vicarious exposure therapy (VicET) in a controlled laboratory setting. Furthermore, our study proposes a new approach of implementing vicarious exposure therapy as participants observe a spider phobia treatment via videochat. VicET yields potential to surpass aversive components of IVET which may have caused IVET to be more stress-inducing to patients and less acceptable to clinicians. Further, videochat based VicET might be expandable to treatment groups and patients held back by physical barriers, posing a potentially cost-effective treatment for e.g. waitlist patients.
The investigators hypothesize that both treatment groups (IVET \& VicET) will perform better than the waiting list control (WLC) group (indicated by stronger reductions in spider fear \& avoidance measures, namely increased BAT steps, reduction in heart rate \& SUDS fear ratings). The investigators further expect that IVET \& VicET will exhibit similar treatment gains (reduction in subjective fear, increase in behavioral approach and decreased heart rate in the BAT), leading to no significant differences in spider fear \& avoidance measures. It is predicted that generalization is effective in both the IVET and the VicET group (indicated by a reduction of fear \& avoidance measures from Pre-Generalization-BAT to Post-Generalization-BAT). Therefore, the investigators expect the WLC group to exhibit smaller symptom improvements in all BAT measures to the nontreated spider. Given the absence of previous studies examining disgust generalization, no specific hypotheses can be drawn. The investigators expect no differences in measures of spider fear between IVET \& VicET at follow-up, with the WLC group exhibiting higher levels of spider fear.
Further analyses will be conducted to investigate possible differences in IVET \& VicET regarding subjective fear during treatment (on a behavioral, subjective and psychophysiological level), disgust, self efficacy \& generalization. Questionnaires used in these analyses are listed as other outcome measures. An unexpected memory test will be inserted at post assessment to allow for investigation of memory for treatment experiences made during exposure therapy.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| In Vivo Exposure (IVET) | Experimental | Behavioral: In Vivo Exposure Training (IVET)Participants are subjected to a pre-assessment (questionnaires and BATs with treated spider and non-treated spider) and an in-vivo exposure, exposing them to the treated spider by approaching it in a predetermined sequence of steps. For further analyses, subjective fear, subjective disgust \& heart rate are measured during treatment. Post assessment consists of two BATs (treated spider and non-treated spider) and questionnaires. An online follow-up consists of brief questionnaires. |
| Vicarious Exposure (VicET) | Experimental | Behavioral: Vicarious Exposure Training (VicET)Participants are set to receive a pre-assessment (questionnaires and BATs with treated spider and non-treated spider) and a vicarious exposure, exposing them to the treated spider by watching the experimenter approach it in a predetermined sequence of step (same as IVET) via two cameras. For further analyses, subjective fear, subjective disgust \& heart rate are measured during treatment. Post assessment consists of two BATs (treated spider and non-treated spider) and questionnaires. An online follow-up consists of brief questionnaires. |
| Waitinglist Control (WLC) | No intervention | –Participants are set to receive a pre-assessment (questionnaires and BATs with treated spider and non-treated spider). Subsequent post-assessment consists of two BATs (treated spider and non-treated spider) and questionnaires. An online follow-up consists of brief questionnaires. Participants receive a session of IVET after assessment is completed. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Presence of fear of spiders (Potential diagnosis of arachnophobia)
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Reaching level 10 or higher in initial BATs
- Any acute or chronic mental disease more debilitating than fear of spiders
- Any debilitating acute or chronic somatic disease that prevents or counteracts exposure treatment effects (such as cardiovascular diseases)
- Heart Diseases (Pace makers, Bradycardia, Arterial Hypertonia, Heart Arrhythmia)
- Psychological, psychiatric, neurological or pharmacological treatment
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| In Vivo Exposure Training (IVET)Also: Exposure, Exposure TrainingOne session of graded in-vivo exposure with the treated spider. Prior to the exposure, participants receive psychoeducation on spiders, exposure therapy and specific phobia. | Behavioural | In Vivo Exposure (IVET) |
| Vicarious Exposure Training (VicET)Also: Exposure, Exposure TrainingOne session of graded video-based vicarious exposure with the treated spider. The steps are modeled by the experimenter. Prior to the exposure, participants receive psychoeducation on spiders, exposure therapy and specific phobia. | Behavioural | Vicarious Exposure (VicET) |
Primary outcome
Behavioral Approach Test (BAT)
Time frame: Pre-Assessment (immediately prior to exposure for the IVET & VicET groups, which corresponds to the end of first assessment day for the WLC group as they receive exposure at the end of the study), Post-Assessment (the next day).
Change in the Behavioral Approach Tests (BAT) from pre- to post-assessment. BATs are conducted with both the treated spider and the non-treated spider. In the Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) the closest distance that a participant approached the spider is measured (final approach distance).
Subjective fear
Time frame: At Pre-Assessment (during BATs, Day 1 & treatments), At Post-Assessment (during BATs, Day 2)
Change in subjective fear from pre- to post-assessment is measured regarding the treated spider and the non-treated spider (SUDS scale during pre-assessment and post-assessment BATs). A comparison of the SUDS at the final approach distance at pre-assessment with the SUDS at the same distance at post-assessment (so called "initial approach") allows for an estimate of subjective fear reduction. Additionally, the change in subjective fear at the final approach distance from pre- to post-assessment can be observed. SUDS are measured on a scale from 0 (no fear) to 100 (highest possible fear).
Subjective disgust
Time frame: Pre-Assessment (during BATs & treatments), Post-Assessment (during BATs)
Change in subjective disgust from pre- to post-assessment is measured regarding the treated spider and the non-treated spider (SUDS scale during Pre-assessment and Post-assessment BAT). A comparison of the SUDS at the final approach distance at pre-assessment with the SUDS at the same distance at post-assessment (so called "initial approach") allows for an estimate of subjective disgust reduction. Additionally, the change in subjective disgust at the final approach distance from pre- to post-assessment can be observed. SUDS are measured on a scale from 0 (no disgust) to 100 (highest possible disgust).
Heart Rate
Time frame: Pre-Assessment (during BATs) & Post-Assessment (during BATs). Measured throughout all of Pre-Assessment (including 5-minute resting heartrate measurement), all of Post-Assessment (including 5-minute resting heartrate measurement) & Treatment.
Change in mean heart rate from pre- to post-assessment BAT with treated spider and non-treated spider.
2 secondary outcomes
Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ; german: FAS)
Time frame: Prior to the Pre-Assessment BATs (Day 1), after Post-Assessment BATs (Day 2, 24 hours later) and at Follow-Up (approx. 6 weeks after Day 2).
Spider Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ)
Time frame: Prior to the Pre-Assessment BATs (Day 1), after Post-Assessment BATs (Day 2, 24 hours later) and at Follow-Up (approx. 6 weeks after Day 2).
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 2 Mar 2026.
- Background: PubMed 39892655Zlomuzica A, Raeder F, Reher S, Lange M, Dere E. Context-dependency of vicarious extinction learning. Behav Brain Res. 2025 Mar 28;482:115461. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2025.115461. Epub 2025 Jan 30.
- BackgroundGilroy, L. J., Kirkby, K. C., Daniels, B. A., Menzies, R. G., & Montgomery, I. M. (2000). Controlled comparison of computer-aided vicarious exposure versus live exposure in the treatment of spider phobia. Behavior Therapy, 31(4), 733-744. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(00)80041-6
- BackgroundRinck, M., Bundschuh, S., Engler, S., Müller, A., Wissmann, J., Ellwart, T., & Becker, E. S. (2002). Reliabilität und Validität dreier Instrumente zur Messung von Angst vor Spinnen. [Reliability and validity of German versions of three instruments measuring fear of spiders.]. Diagnostica, 48(3), 141-149. https://doi.org/10.1026//0012-1924.48.3.141
- Background: PubMed 7642758Szymanski J, O'Donohue W. Fear of Spiders Questionnaire. J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 1995 Mar;26(1):31-4. doi: 10.1016/0005-7916(94)00072-t.
- BackgroundSchienle, A., Walter, B., Stark, R., & Vaitl, D. (2002). Ein Fragebogen zur Erfassung der Ekelempfindlichkeit (FEE). Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, 31(2), 110-120. https://doi.org/10.1026/0084-5345.31.2.110
- Background: PubMed 25722534Rosen LD, Whaling K, Carrier LM, Cheever NA, Rokkum J. The Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scale: An empirical investigation. Comput Human Behav. 2013 Nov 1;29(6):2501-2511. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2013.06.006.
- BackgroundPössel, P., & Hautzinger, M. (2003). Dysfunktionale Überzeugungen bei Spinnenangst. Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, 32(1), 24-30. https://doi.org/10.1026/0084-5345.32.1.24
- BackgroundOvanessian, M. M., Fairbrother, N., Vorstenbosch, V., McCabe, R. E., Rowa, K., & Antony, M. M. (2019). Psychometric Properties and Clinical Utility of the Specific Phobia Questionnaire in an Anxiety Disorders Sample. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 41(1), 36-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-018-9687-1
- BackgroundLaux, L., Glanzmann, P., Schaffner, P., & Spielberger, C. D. (1981). State-Trait-Angstinventar (STAI). Beltz.
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- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Armin Zlomuzica, Prof. Dr. principal investigator
Ruhr University of Bochum
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing In Vivo Exposure Training (IVET) and Vicarious Exposure Training (VicET) in people with Anxiety and Anxiety Disorders, run by Ruhr University of Bochum at 1 site in Germany.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 2 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Germany. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jan A Heistermann, M.Sc. ((+49)02343228469, Jan.Heistermann@ruhr-uni-bochum.de), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) (time frame: Pre-Assessment (immediately prior to exposure for the IVET & VicET groups, which corresponds to the end of first assessment day for the WLC group as they receive exposure at the end of the study), Post-Assessment (the next day).). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07432945, which also lists 14 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 2 Mar 2026.