Semantic desensitization: a paradigmatic intervention approach to anxiety disorders.

Full Abstract

Studied the effectiveness of semantic desensitization in alleviating public speaking anxiety. Thirty speech-anxious clients, matched on the severity of their problem, were assigned randomly to one of the following treatment conditions: (a) semantic desensitization; (b) attention placebo; and (c) waiting list control. The semantic desensitization group received a self-instructional, anticipatory-anxiety hierarchy paired with visually induced, relaxing, pleasant scenes. Semantic desensitization therapy resulted in significant reductions of both the affective and behavioral components of anxiety as compared to the two controls. The placebo control also showed improvement in several indices of subjective anxiety as compared to the no-treatment waiting list control. The beneficial effects of semantic desensitization therapy were maintained on follow-up.

Author information

Author/s: Hekmat, H (H); Lubitz, R (R); Deal, R (R);

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Journal of clinical psychology (J Clin Psychol), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1984-Mar; vol 40 (issue 2) : pp 463-6

Dates: Created 1984/07/09; Completed 1984/07/09; Revised 2004/11/17;

PMID: 6144696, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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