Systematic Desensitization in the Treatment of Needle Phobias for Children with Diabetes

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of systematic desensitization in the treatment of needle phobias. Twenty-five subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus ranging in age from 7 to 20 years were treated for 38 separate fear responses. Both imaginal and in vivo desensitization procedures were used, depending on the fear response (finger lancing, blood draws, or self-injections). Observation of these procedures and self-reports of anxiety (SUDS) were collected pre- ad post-treatment. Of the 38 responses treated, 35 (92%) responded very favorable to systematic desensitization in an average of less than 4 sessions per fear response. Desensitization is judged to be a highly cost effective approach to this problem area and may lead to increased compliance to complex medical regimens involving needles.