SPACING OF EXPOSURE SESSIONS IN TREATMENT OF AGORAPHOBIA AND SIMPLE PHOBIA

The effects of massed versus spaced in vivo exposure sessions were compared in the treatment of 19 agoraphobic and 17 simple phobic outpatients. Subjects received ten 90-min sessions of therapist-assisted exposure and were assessed with self-report measures, a behavioral diary, and a behavioral avoidance test. There were no differences between the two methods of treatment at either posttest or 6-months follow-up with one exception-a frequency of significat findings which would be expected in light of the experimental wise error rate. Contrary to assertions in the literature, massed subjects were no more likely to drop out of treatment or to relapse during the follow-up period. Subjects who entered the treatment program rated the two methods of delivery as equally stressful, but unsystematic observation indicated that massed treatment was less acceptable to some potential clients who refused treatment rather than accept random assignment. © 1990 Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy. All rights reserved.