Cognitive behaviour therapy for specific phobia of vomiting (Emetophobia): A pilot randomized controlled trial

• A specific phobia of vomiting is under-researched topic with no RCTs.
• We evaluated a CBT protocol for treating a Specific Phobia of Vomiting -v- wait list.
• CBT was significantly more efficacious than the wait list.
• 50% of participants receiving CBT achieved clinically significant change.

This is the first randomised controlled trial to evaluate a protocol for cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for a Specific Phobia of Vomiting (SPOV) compared with a wait list and to use assessment scales that are specific for a SPOV.Method24 participants (23 women and 1 man) were randomly allocated to either 12 sessions of CBT or a wait list.ResultsAt the end of the treatment, CBT was significantly more efficacious than the wait list with a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.53) on the Specific Phobia of Vomiting Inventory between the two groups after 12 sessions. Six (50%) of the participants receiving CBT achieved clinically significant change compared to 2 (16%) participants in the wait list group. Eight (58.3%) participants receiving CBT achieved reliable improvement compared to 2 (16%) participants in the wait list group.ConclusionsA SPOV is a condition treatable by CBT but further developments are required to increase efficacy.