One-session treatment of spider phobia in children

The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of the one session behavioral treatment of specific phobia, proposed by Ost on: a) approach and manipulation behaviors of children diagnosed with specific phobia, and b) their anxiety, according to their parents' perception, one week, three and six months after treatment. The quasi-experimental study used an interrupted time series design. Treatment was individually applied to 10 children, 6 to 12 years of age, diagnosed with specific phobia to spiders. Pre, post, 3 and 6 months after treatment measurements of children's behavioral approximations to spiders, and their depression/anxiety as reported by their parents, were conducted. Clinical and statistically significant improvement was observed at post-test and 3 months later in all children. Improvement was maintained after 6 months for 6 of the 7 children who completed the study. Results of previous studies on the efficacy of the one session behavioral treatment were replicated in Latin American children.