Cognitive behaviour therapy for specific phobia of vomiting (Emetophobia): A pilot randomized controlled trial

Lori Riddle-Walker; David Veale; Cynthia Chapman; Frank Ogle; Donna Rosko; Sadia Najmi; Lana M Walker; Pete Maceachern; Thomas Hicks

doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.07.005

Cognitive behaviour therapy for specific phobia of vomiting (Emetophobia): A pilot randomized controlled trial

J Anxiety Disord. 2016 Oct:43:14-22. doi: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.07.005. Epub 2016 Jul 21.

Authors

Lori Riddle-Walker¹, David Veale², Cynthia Chapman³, Frank Ogle⁴, Donna Rosko⁵, Sadia Najmi⁶, Lana M Walker⁷, Pete Maceachern⁸, Thomas Hicks⁵

Affiliations

¹ Argosy University, San Diego Campus, College of Behavioral Sciences, CA, USA. Electronic address: llrwalker@sbcglobal.net.
² Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
³ Private Practice, Carlsbad, CA, USA.
⁴ Private Practice, San Diego, CA, USA.
⁵ Argosy University, San Diego Campus, College of Behavioral Sciences, CA, USA.
⁶ San Diego State University, Department of Psychology CA, USA.
⁷ Talking Feather Communications, Surprise, AZ, USA.
⁸ Palomar Community College, San Marcos, CA, USA.

PMID: 27472452
DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.07.005

Abstract

This is the first randomised controlled trial to evaluate a protocol for cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for a Specific Phobia of Vomiting (SPOV) compared with a wait list and to use assessment scales that are specific for a SPOV.

Method: 24 participants (23 women and 1 man) were randomly allocated to either 12 sessions of CBT or a wait list.

Results: At the end of the treatment, CBT was significantly more efficacious than the wait list with a large effect size (Cohen's d=1.53) on the Specific Phobia of Vomiting Inventory between the two groups after 12 sessions. Six (50%) of the participants receiving CBT achieved clinically significant change compared to 2 (16%) participants in the wait list group. Eight (58.3%) participants receiving CBT achieved reliable improvement compared to 2 (16%) participants in the wait list group.

Conclusions: A SPOV is a condition treatable by CBT but further developments are required to increase efficacy.

Keywords: Cognitive behaviour therapy; Emetophobia; Exposure; Randomised controlled trial; Specific phobia; Vomiting.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Phobic Disorders / psychology
Phobic Disorders / therapy*
Pilot Projects
Treatment Outcome
Vomiting / psychology*
Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

Phobia, Specific