TY - JOUR
T1 - Naltrexone renders one-session exposure therapy less effective
T2 - A controlled pilot study
AU - Kozak, Andrea T.
AU - Spates, C. Richard
AU - McChargue, Dennis E.
AU - Bailey, Katherine C.
AU - Schneider, Kristin L.
AU - Liepman, Michael R.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - In vivo exposure has become the gold standard treatment for specific phobia. The endogenous opioid system is one mechanism proposed to explain why exposure provides such quick and effective treatment for specific phobia. The effect of naltrexone on fear and avoidance behavior was investigated among 15 specific phobia participants who received exposure treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive naltrexone, placebo, or no drug prior to attending one-session exposure treatment. Mixed effects regression results revealed that across time, the naltrexone group tolerated significantly less time in the room with the feared animal (Behavioral Avoidance Index) as compared to the placebo and no drug groups. Phobic individuals assigned to the naltrexone group had significantly higher fear ratings across time in comparison to the placebo group. Results provide support for the endogenous opioid system as a potential underlying biological mechanism associated with behavioral changes during in vivo exposure.
AB - In vivo exposure has become the gold standard treatment for specific phobia. The endogenous opioid system is one mechanism proposed to explain why exposure provides such quick and effective treatment for specific phobia. The effect of naltrexone on fear and avoidance behavior was investigated among 15 specific phobia participants who received exposure treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to receive naltrexone, placebo, or no drug prior to attending one-session exposure treatment. Mixed effects regression results revealed that across time, the naltrexone group tolerated significantly less time in the room with the feared animal (Behavioral Avoidance Index) as compared to the placebo and no drug groups. Phobic individuals assigned to the naltrexone group had significantly higher fear ratings across time in comparison to the placebo group. Results provide support for the endogenous opioid system as a potential underlying biological mechanism associated with behavioral changes during in vivo exposure.
KW - Behavioral assessment
KW - Endogenous opiates
KW - Naltrexone
KW - Phobias
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U2 - 10.1016/j.janxdis.2006.03.011
DO - 10.1016/j.janxdis.2006.03.011
M3 - Article
C2 - 16647240
AN - SCOPUS:33846187665
SN - 0887-6185
VL - 21
SP - 142
EP - 152
JO - Journal of Anxiety Disorders
JF - Journal of Anxiety Disorders
IS - 1
ER -