Changes in caffeine states enhance return of fear in spider phobia.
Treatment of phobias is sometimes followed by a return of fear. Animal and human research has shown that changes in external and internal contexts between the time of treatment and follow-up tests often enhance return of fear. The present study examined whether shifts in caffeine (C) state would enhance return of fear. Participants who were highly afraid of spiders (n = 43) were treated in 1-session exposure-based therapy and tested for follow-up 1 week later. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups and received either placebo (P) or C at treatment and follow-up sessions: CC, PP, CP, and PC. Results demonstrated state-dependent learning. Participants experiencing incongruent drug states during treatment and follow-up (CP and PC) exhibited greater return of fear than those experiencing congruent drug states (CC and PP).
Mystkowski
Jayson L
JL
Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA.
Mineka
Susan
S
Vernon
Laura L
LL
Zinbarg
Richard E
RE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013112:Spiders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002110:Caffeine