ABSTRACT
Prevalence studies from Norway and Sweden have revealed that 5-10 per cent of the adult population never fly because of flight phobia and that about 50 per cent are apprehensive of flying (Ekeberg, Seeberg and Ellertsen, 1989; Nordlund, 1983). There are, however, rather few controlled studies of the treatment of flight phobia, and some of them suffer from methodological problems. Solyom et al. ( 1973) found three behaviour techniques, including aversion relief with the use of electric shocks, equally effective, and better than group psychotherapy. The difference, however, was not significant at an 8-24 months follow-up. Denholtz et al. (1975) used an automated audiovisual treatment administered by non-professionals applied to a selected number of patients, 47 per cent of whom had previously been treated for flight phobia. Three different techniques were administered, and those failing in one were later transferred to the treatment considered the best. At a three-and-a-halfyear follow-up, 60 per cent had flown, 88 per cent of those considered successfully treated (Denholtz et al., 1978). Howard et al. (1983), found four behavioural techniques equally successful in the treatment of a selected number; 23 per cent were previously treated for flight phobia. Girodo et al. (1978), applied cognitive preparation and coping self-talk in a study of undergraduate females. During the post-treatment flight, a planned unexpected missed landing was encountered in order to help differentiating the treatment effect. No differential coping effectiveness was demonstrated throughout the normal course of the flight, whereas during the missed landing, the self statement trained subjects coped better. At a four-and-a-half months follow-up, no measurement ofthe number of flights post-treatment was made. Haug et al. (1987), in a study of 10 selected patients, found consonant behavioural treatment superior to non-
consonant. Nordlund has made two studies, one including a comparison of the number of flights one year before and after treatment (1979), and one with two follow-ups at six months and one year (1984). Both studies, however, lacked control groups. Walder et al. (1987) used three long sessions with information, graded exposure and group support. Ost et al. (1997) compared patients randomly assigned to two treatment conditions: one-session (three hours) of massed treatment, or five sessions (six hours) of gradual exposure and cognitive restructuring. Airline companies offering treatment for fear of flying most often offer treatment in groups of 4-15 (Van Gerwen et al., 2000), but even though an extensive number of participants have been treated, scientific publications are rather few.
