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Systematic Review of Studies on Subliminal Exposure to Phobic Stimuli: Integrating Therapeutic Models for Specific Phobias

Authors :
Sergio Frumento
Danilo Menicucci
Paul Kenneth Hitchcott
Andrea Zaccaro
Angelo Gemignani
Source :
Frontiers in Neuroscience, Vol 15 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2021.

Abstract

We systematically review 26 papers investigating subjective, behavioral, and psychophysiological correlates of subliminal exposure to phobic stimuli in phobic patients. Stimulations were found to elicit: (1) cardiac defense responses, (2) specific brain activations of both subcortical (e.g., amygdala) and cortical structures, (3) skin conductance reactions, only when stimuli lasted >20 ms and were administered with intertrial interval >20 s. While not inducing the distress caused by current (supraliminal) exposure therapies, exposure to subliminal phobic stimuli still results in successful extinction of both psychophysiological and behavioral correlates: however, it hardly improves subjective fear. We integrate those results with recent bifactorial models of emotional regulation, proposing a new form of exposure therapy whose effectiveness and acceptability should be maximized by a preliminary subliminal stimulation. Systematic Review Registration: identifier [CRD42021129234].

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1662453X
Volume :
15
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.7bccda7f65d142408715252095613825
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.654170