Fear of Heights
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether aerobic exercise can enhance the effects of exposure therapy treatment for fear of heights.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALExercise
30 minutes of aerobic exercise on a treadmill at 80% of participant's heart rate reserve.
Sponsors
University of Texas at Austin
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 25 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 to 25 * Speaks English fluently * Score of 80 or higher on the Acrophobia Questionnaire * SUDS rating of 50 or higher on the Behavioral Avoidance Test or complete refusal to comply with instructions due to intensity of fear * Passes the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire-Plus
Exclusion criteria
* Hearing or visually impaired * Currently receiving exposure-based treatment for acrophobia * Able to remain on floor 20 for 30 seconds during BAT with a SUDS rating \< 50
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fear scores | 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy | Change in fear scores using subjective units of distress will be assessed. |
| Perceived threat likelihood scores | 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy | Change in the perception of threat likelihood on a scale from 1-5 will be assessed. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Acrophobia Severity | 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy | Change in score on the Acrophobia Questionnaire |
| Skin conductance fluctuations | 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy | Changes in skin conductance fluctuations will be assessed. |
| Clinical Global Improvement | 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy | Change in score on the Clinical Global Improvement Scale |
| Attitudes Toward Heights | 14 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy | Change in score on the Attitudes Toward Heights Inventory |
| Heart rate fluctuations | 7 (+/- 3) days after exposure therapy | Heart rate fluctuations will be assessed. |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed