Psychophysiological reactions in dental phobic patients with direct vs. indirect fear acquisition.

Dental phobic patients with reported traumatic experiences at onset of dental anxiety were compared to subjects with an indirect fear acquisition in their psychophysiological responses to video scenes showing dental procedures. It has been suggested that individuals with conditioned fear would respond with higher levels of physiological arousal in response to threat compared to subjects with indirect fear acquisition. Although the overall pattern indicates support for this hypothesis, subjects grouped on the basis of their reported fear-etiology did not statistically differ in recorded muscle tension, heart rate or skin conductance reactions to fear-provoking conditions.