CompletedNot Applicable

Efficacy of an Internet-based Treatment for Flying Phobia: NO-FEAR Airlines

Spain69 participantsStarted 2015-09-01

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of a computer-aided self-help treatment for flying phobia with or without support by the therapist, compared to a waiting list control group. Secondary objectives: a) to explore two ways of delivering NO-FEAR Airlines, with or without therapist guidance and b) to study the patients' acceptability through expectations, preferences and satisfaction towards the online program. In this work, we present the study design. The principal hypothesis is that the two intervention groups will improve significantly compared to the waiting list control group.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Be older than 18 years of age, * To meet current DSM-5 criteria for specific phobia (flying phobia). * Be willing to participate in the study. * Be able to use a computer and having an Internet connection at home. * Be able to understand and read Spanish. * Have an e-mail address. Exclusion Criteria: * Be receiving psychological treatment for fear of flying. * A severe mental disorder: abuse or dependence of alcohol or other substances, psychotic disorder, dementia or bipolar disorder. * Presence of depressive symptomatology, suicidal ideation or plan. * Presence of heart disease. * Pregnant women (from the fourth month). Receiving pharmacological treatment is not an exclusion criterion during the study period, but the increase, decrease and/or change in the medication during the study period will imply the participant's exclusion from subsequent analyses. Participants with comorbid and related disorders (i.e., panic disorder, agoraphobia, claustrophobia or acrophobia) will be included once flying phobia is the primary diagnosis. In contrast, participants who do not meet inclusion criteria will be encouraged to seek treatment alternatives better suited to their specific needs.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1This trial tested an internet-based program called NO-FEAR Airlines specifically for flying phobia — how does an online self-guided treatment like this compare to working with a therapist in person, and which approach do you think would suit me better?
2The study measured outcomes using two specific fear-of-flying questionnaires — do you know what the results showed in terms of how much participants' fear actually decreased, and would those results be meaningful for someone at my level of anxiety?
3Since this trial is now completed and was not a drug study, what is your take on whether the NO-FEAR Airlines program has enough evidence behind it to be worth trying, or should I consider other established treatments first like cognitive behavioral therapy or exposure therapy?
4Flying phobia can sometimes be linked to broader anxiety disorders — before discussing a self-directed internet program like this one, should we first assess whether something deeper like generalized anxiety or panic disorder might need to be addressed?
5Because this was a completed trial with no assigned phase, meaning it wasn't testing a new drug but rather a digital therapeutic approach, are there any risks or downsides to trying an internet-based exposure program on my own that I should be aware of before we decide if it's appropriate for me?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

The Fear of Flying Questionnaire-II (FFQ-II; Bornas, Tortella-Feliu, García de la Banda, Fullana, & Llabrés, 1999).

Timeframe: up to 12 months

The Fear of Flying scale (FFS; Haug et al. (1987)

Timeframe: up to 12 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02298478

SponsorUniversitat Jaume I

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2017-09

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Flying Phobia trials