Neural responses during extinction learning predict exposure therapy outcome in phobia: results from a randomized-controlled trial.

ABSTRACT: Extinction learning is assumed to represent a core mechanism underlying exposure therapy. Empirical evaluations of this assumption, however, are largely lacking. The current study investigated whether neural activations and self-report outcomes during extinction learning and extinction recall could specifically predict exposure therapy response in specific phobia. In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, individuals with spider phobia (N = 45; female/male = 41/4) were on group basis randomly allocated to exposure therapy (n = 25; female/male = 24/1) or progressive muscle relaxation (PMR; n = 20; female/male = 17/3). Intervention effects were measured with the Fears of Spiders questionnaire. Participants also underwent a three-day fear conditioning, extinction learning, and extinct

SUBMITTER: Lange I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6969109 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature