Gamification in the Treatment of Spider Phobia

Testing a Gamified App to Reduce Avoidance and Fear of Spiders in Spider Phobia

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.

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.