Gamification in the Treatment of Spider Phobia (NCT04423783) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Gamification in the Treatment of Spider Phobia
Germany90 participantsStarted 2020-07-01
Plain-language summary
Mobile applications are more and more considered when implementing programs for treating mental disorders. The study aims to reduce avoidance and fear of spiders in spider-fearful individuals by combining exposure principles with gamification elements (e.g. narrative background, level progression, points, feedback). We investigate the efficacy of the gamified app in a remote online-therapy context.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 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:
Participants must
* be 18 years or older,
* SPQ score ≥ 14
* BDI-II score ≤ 18
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will be deemed ineligible if they do not meet the above inclusion criteria or
* are allergic to spiders or bee stings,
* are currently undergoing psychotherapeutic and/or psychopharmacological treatments,
* are experiencing current psychosis, mania, or substance abuse, or
* successfully complete 8 or more of 12 possible BAT steps at baseline (to ensure that participants are indeed spider fearful)
* are at higher risk from Covid-19 or
* participated in a pilot study in 2019.
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.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
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
1
Change in avoidance behavior (Behavioral Approach Task; BAT)
Timeframe: Baseline; (after one-session exposure if applied); Post-treatment (1-week after baseline); 3-week follow-up (4-weeks after baseline)
2
Change in spider fear (Spider Phobia Questionnaire; SPQ)
Timeframe: Baseline; Post-treatment (1-week after baseline); 3-week follow-up (4-weeks after baseline)
3
Change in spider fear: Spider-Anxiety Questionnaire (FAS)
Timeframe: Baseline; Post-treatment (1-week after baseline); 3-week follow-up (4-weeks after baseline)