Individual response patterns and the effects of different behavioral methods in the treatment of dental phobia

Abstract

The present study investigated the importance of individual response patterns in the treatment of dental phobia. Thirty-seven outpatients with dental phobia were assessed during a behavioral test in the form of dental examination. Heart rate was continuously monitored both in the waiting-room and during the examination. The patient's cognitions during the test were assessed through a self-report scale. On the basis of these reactions the patients were divided into two groups: cognitive and physiological reactors. Within these groups the patients were randomly assigned to either a cognitively focused method (self-instructional training) or a physiologically focused method (applied relaxation). The patients were treated in groups of 4 for 9 sessions. The within-group comparisons showed that both treatments yielded significant improvements on almost all measures. The between-group comparisons did not show differential results, except for one measure in the physiological reactors. The results did not support the hypothesis that greater effects are achieved when the method used fits the patient's response pattern.