Spider scared? imagining worst case may help you face your fears
NCT ID NCT05424250
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether adding occasional aversive imagery (imagining your worst fear about spiders) during exposure therapy helps reduce spider phobia more than standard exposure alone. 67 spider-fearful adults completed a one-session training with seven steps, from looking at a spider to touching it. One week later, researchers measured fear levels and avoidance behavior to see which group improved more.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
exposure therapy with occasional aversive imagery
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a more effective way to treat phobias using exposure therapy.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study with only 67 participants. The results may not apply to everyone with spider fear, and the benefit of adding aversive imagery is uncertain.
Disclaimer
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the original study
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Philipps-University Marburg
Marburg, Hesse, 35037, Germany