One Week Follow-up AssessmentNCT06255821
The Effect of Time on Generalization of Exposure-based Benefit
A study testing Exposure in people with One Week Follow-up Assessment and Six Weeks Follow-up Assessment, run by Ruhr University of Bochum at 1 site in Germany.
Trial summary
Participants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider. This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to one of the follow-up assessments: one week, six weeks or three months. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- One Week Follow-up Assessment, Six Weeks Follow-up Assessment, Three Months Follow-up Assessment
- What is being tested?
- Exposure
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 59 participants
- Where
- 1 siteGermany
- Study dates
- 8 Jul 2024to 19 Feb 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- 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 the initial (Pre-Exposure) Spider BAT
- Any acute or chronic mental and / or somatic disease
- Psychological, psychiatric, neurological or pharmacological treatment
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Pregnancy
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Germany1 site
Department of Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience
Bochum, 44787
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Time on Generalization of Exposure-based Benefit in Spider Fear
Participants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider. This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to one of the follow-up assessments: one week, six weeks or three months. The control spider (spider A) and a novel spider (spider B) will be used again at follow-up BATs to test for generalization of exposure effects.
Read the detailed description
Several findings from basic research on extinction learning undermine the role of time effects in the contextualization and retrieval of extinguished memories (Archbold et al., 2013; Quirk, 2002; Wiltgen \& Silva, 2007). The latter bears important implications for the evaluation of short- and long-term effects of exposure-based fear reduction and generalization. To date, no study exists examining the role of time on the fear responding to treated stimuli and/or untreated stimuli after successful exposure. It will be investigated whether the differential responding to treated and untreated stimuli after exposure is dependent on the passage of time.
Spider fearful participants will be subjected to a standardized one-session treatment with spiders serving as treatment stimuli. Fear reduction towards treatment stimuli will be assessed at post-treatment. Furthermore, generalization of exposure therapy towards untreated stimuli (i.e., a novel spider) will be assessed. The extent of generalization of exposure-based fear reduction to untreated stimuli will be compared between three groups that will differ with respect to the follow-up length. Here, participants undergoing exposure will be randomly assigned to one of the following follow-up measurements: one week follow-up, six weeks follow-up, and three months follow-up. The extent of exposure induced fear reduction and generalization will be assessed and compared between these groups.
- Conditions
- One Week Follow-up Assessment, Six Weeks Follow-up Assessment, Three Months Follow-up Assessment
- Being tested
- Exposure
- Keywords
- Exposure Therapy, Generalization of Exposure Effects, Fear of Spiders, Anxiety Disorders, Extinction, Specific phobia
- Medical subject headings
- Arachnophobia, Anxiety Disorders, Phobia, Specific
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ExposureBehavioural
One-session of graded in-vivo exposure with a spider. Each task is first modeled by the experimenter. Prior to the exposure, participants receive psychoeducation on anxiety and phobias.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| One week follow-up assessment | Experimental | Participants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider (spider A). This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to the follow-up assessment one week after the exposure session, in which spider A and a novel spider (spider B) will be used to test for generalization of exposure effects. Receives: Behavioral: Exposure |
| Six weeks follow-up assessment | Experimental | Participants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider (spider A). This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to the follow-up assessment six weeks after the exposure session, in which spider A and a novel spider (spider B) will be used to test for generalization of exposure effects. Receives: Behavioral: Exposure |
| Three months follow-up assessment | Experimental | Participants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider (spider A). This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to the follow-up assessment three months after the exposure session, in which spider A and a novel spider (spider B) will be used to test for generalization of exposure effects. Receives: Behavioral: Exposure |
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 Test (BAT) at post-assessment and follow-up with the control spider (spider A; treated stimulus) and a novel spider (spider B; untreated fear stimulus). During the Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) the closest distance to a spider is measured.
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Subjective fear
Change in subjective fear at post-assessment and follow-up with the control spider (spider A; treated stimulus) and a novel spider (spider B; untreated fear stimulus) is measured during the Behavioral Approach Tests.
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Subjective disgust
Change in subjective disgust at post-assessment and follow-up with the control spider (spider A; treated stimulus) and a novel spider (spider B; untreated fear stimulus) is measured during the Behavioral Approach Tests.
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Heart rate
Change in heart rate at post-assessment and follow-up with the control spider (spider A; treated stimulus) and a novel spider (spider B; untreated fear stimulus) is measured during the Behavioral Approach Tests.
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Secondary outcomes (5)
Score on General Self-efficacy (GSE) Scale
Change in self-efficacy is measured by the GSE Scale. The GSE Scale contains ten items and measures how confident the person feels to overcome difficult situations based on their self-assessed competence. The total score is determined by summing up all item scores, which results in a score between 10 and 40, where the higher scores represent higher GSE.
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Phobic Situations (SEQ-SP)
The questionnaire consists of 13 items. The items describe specific phobic situations (in relation to animals) for which the participants has to assess their self-efficacy expectations based on a five-point scale (1 = really sure I couldn't, 5 = really sure I could).
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ)
Change in the Spider-fear related questionnaires. The Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ) will be applied. Scores on this scale range from 0 to 108, with higher scores indicating greater fear of spiders.
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Spider Fear Questionnaire (SPQ)
The Spider Fear Questionnaire (SPQ) will be applied. Scores on this scale range from 0 to 31, with higher scores indicating greater fear of spiders.
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Spider Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ)
The Spider Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ) will be applied. Scores on this scale range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater fear of spiders.
Measured: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 Feb 2024
- Study start8 Jul 2024
- Primary completion19 Feb 2025
- Study completion19 Feb 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for One Week Follow-up AssessmentStudies 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
- 59 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ruhr University of Bochum
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Iris Kodzaga, Ruhr University of Bochum
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06255821
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Ruhr-University Bochum
- Status last verified
- Jul 2024
- First submitted
- 5 Feb 2024
- Last updated
- 30 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 30 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Time on Generalization of Exposure-based Benefit in Spider Fear
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06255821
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- Ruhr-University Bochum
- Conditions
- One Week Follow-up Assessment, Six Weeks Follow-up Assessment, Three Months Follow-up Assessment
- Keywords
- Exposure Therapy, Generalization of Exposure Effects, Fear of Spiders, Anxiety Disorders, Extinction, Specific phobia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 59 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ruhr University of BochumUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 8 Jul 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 19 Feb 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 19 Feb 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 13 Feb 2024 (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.
Participants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider. This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to one of the follow-up assessments: one week, six weeks or three months. The control spider (spider A) and a novel spider (spider B) will be used again at follow-up BATs to test for generalization of exposure effects.
Detailed description
Several findings from basic research on extinction learning undermine the role of time effects in the contextualization and retrieval of extinguished memories (Archbold et al., 2013; Quirk, 2002; Wiltgen \& Silva, 2007). The latter bears important implications for the evaluation of short- and long-term effects of exposure-based fear reduction and generalization. To date, no study exists examining the role of time on the fear responding to treated stimuli and/or untreated stimuli after successful exposure. It will be investigated whether the differential responding to treated and untreated stimuli after exposure is dependent on the passage of time.
Spider fearful participants will be subjected to a standardized one-session treatment with spiders serving as treatment stimuli. Fear reduction towards treatment stimuli will be assessed at post-treatment. Furthermore, generalization of exposure therapy towards untreated stimuli (i.e., a novel spider) will be assessed. The extent of generalization of exposure-based fear reduction to untreated stimuli will be compared between three groups that will differ with respect to the follow-up length. Here, participants undergoing exposure will be randomly assigned to one of the following follow-up measurements: one week follow-up, six weeks follow-up, and three months follow-up. The extent of exposure induced fear reduction and generalization will be assessed and compared between these groups.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| One week follow-up assessment | Experimental | Behavioral: ExposureParticipants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider (spider A). This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to the follow-up assessment one week after the exposure session, in which spider A and a novel spider (spider B) will be used to test for generalization of exposure effects. |
| Six weeks follow-up assessment | Experimental | Behavioral: ExposureParticipants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider (spider A). This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to the follow-up assessment six weeks after the exposure session, in which spider A and a novel spider (spider B) will be used to test for generalization of exposure effects. |
| Three months follow-up assessment | Experimental | Behavioral: ExposureParticipants will receive a pre-assessment and an exposure with a control spider (spider A). This control spider will be presented again at post-training assessments. Participants will then be assigned to the follow-up assessment three months after the exposure session, in which spider A and a novel spider (spider B) will be used to test for generalization of exposure effects. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Presence of fear of spiders (Potential diagnosis of arachnophobia)
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Reaching level 10 or higher in the initial (Pre-Exposure) Spider BAT
- Any acute or chronic mental and / or somatic disease
- Psychological, psychiatric, neurological or pharmacological treatment
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Pregnancy
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ExposureOne-session of graded in-vivo exposure with a spider. Each task is first modeled by the experimenter. Prior to the exposure, participants receive psychoeducation on anxiety and phobias. | Behavioural | One week follow-up assessment, Six weeks follow-up assessment, Three months follow-up assessment |
Primary outcome
Behavioral Approach Test (BAT)
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Change in the Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) at post-assessment and follow-up with the control spider (spider A; treated stimulus) and a novel spider (spider B; untreated fear stimulus). During the Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) the closest distance to a spider is measured.
Subjective fear
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Change in subjective fear at post-assessment and follow-up with the control spider (spider A; treated stimulus) and a novel spider (spider B; untreated fear stimulus) is measured during the Behavioral Approach Tests.
Subjective disgust
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Change in subjective disgust at post-assessment and follow-up with the control spider (spider A; treated stimulus) and a novel spider (spider B; untreated fear stimulus) is measured during the Behavioral Approach Tests.
Heart rate
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Change in heart rate at post-assessment and follow-up with the control spider (spider A; treated stimulus) and a novel spider (spider B; untreated fear stimulus) is measured during the Behavioral Approach Tests.
5 secondary outcomes
Score on General Self-efficacy (GSE) Scale
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Self-efficacy Questionnaire for Phobic Situations (SEQ-SP)
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ)
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Spider Fear Questionnaire (SPQ)
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Spider Beliefs Questionnaire (SBQ)
Time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 30 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exposure in people with One Week Follow-up Assessment and Six Weeks Follow-up Assessment, 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 5 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: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 30 Jan 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?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) (time frame: Pre-assessment (immediately before exposure), post-assessment (one day after exposure), follow-up (one week, six weeks, or three months after exposure)). 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?
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 30 Jan 2026.