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A supplementary note on automated self-desensitization
Behav.Res.& Therapy. 1968.Vol.6,p.243.Pergamon Press Ltd. Printed in England
A supplementary note on automated seif”d~ensitization (Received 1 December
1967)
Summary-Migler and Wolpe (1967) have described a technique for automated desensitization in which the patient uses a specially modified tape-recorder to carry out desensitization at home. The device used in that report included either a Wollensack T1600 tape-recorder or a Uher Universal 5000 tape-recorder. In either case, it is necessary to make changes in the internal wiring of the tape-recorder and other modifications. IN TWIS note an inexpensive tape-recorder is described that can be used for automated desensitization and requires no modifications. The device is the DeJur Grundig Versatile Ill portable dictating machine. The cost of the dictating machine and stethophone (for privacy) is approximately $85.00. The dictating machine is small enough to be held in the palm of one hand and uses tape cartridges which record for about 20 min on each side. The tape-recorder is controlled by a single switch which the patient slides back and forth with his thumb, from the off position to the play position to the rewind position. One side of the cartridge contains about 20 min of relaxation instructions followed by instructions to reverse the cartridge and rewind the second side of the cartridge. The second side of the cartridge contains only the scenes to which the patient is to be desensitized. Thirty seconds of relaxation instructions are followed by a description of the first scene to be visualized; this is followed by 15 set of silence to permit visuali~tion, followed by an instruction to stop picturing the scene and repeat the scene if any anxiety was felt. This is followed by 30 see of relaxation instructions, a description of the next scene to be visualized, 15 set of silence, the instruction to stop visualizing and to repeat the scene if any anxiety was felt, etc. If the patient needs more than 15 set for clear visualization he simply stops the tape-recorder. In preparing the tape the therapist records a continuous bass sound, “ooooo,” for approximately 5 set, before each 30 set relaxation section. If any anxiety is felt, the patient slides the thumb switch into the rewind position and he hears ali the sounds that have been recorded played at rapid speed in reverse. All the speech sounds are very brief and garbled. The 5 set bass sound is heard, however, as a clear continuous “beep” lasting for at least 1 sec. At this signal the patient slides the thumb switch from rewind to play. He will now be back at the beginning of the 30 set of relaxation instructions preceeding the scene to be repeated. The scene may be repeated any number of times with this procedure. Approximately 20 scenes may be recorded on one side of a cartridge. (Note that any inexpensive tape-recorder may be used that satisfies the specifications of (a) 30-40 ruin minimum playing time; (b) contro1 of playback, rewind, and stop with very little physical exertion and manipulating; (c) sound playback during rewinding to detect the beginning of each section.) Behavioral Design Ass., Inc. Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.
BERNARD
MIGLER
REFERENCE MIGLER, B.
and
WOLPE, J. (1967).
Automated
Self-Desensitization:
5, 133-135.
243
a case report.
Behav. Res. & Therapy
A supplementary note on automated seif”d~ensitization (Received 1 December
1967)
Summary-Migler and Wolpe (1967) have described a technique for automated desensitization in which the patient uses a specially modified tape-recorder to carry out desensitization at home. The device used in that report included either a Wollensack T1600 tape-recorder or a Uher Universal 5000 tape-recorder. In either case, it is necessary to make changes in the internal wiring of the tape-recorder and other modifications. IN TWIS note an inexpensive tape-recorder is described that can be used for automated desensitization and requires no modifications. The device is the DeJur Grundig Versatile Ill portable dictating machine. The cost of the dictating machine and stethophone (for privacy) is approximately $85.00. The dictating machine is small enough to be held in the palm of one hand and uses tape cartridges which record for about 20 min on each side. The tape-recorder is controlled by a single switch which the patient slides back and forth with his thumb, from the off position to the play position to the rewind position. One side of the cartridge contains about 20 min of relaxation instructions followed by instructions to reverse the cartridge and rewind the second side of the cartridge. The second side of the cartridge contains only the scenes to which the patient is to be desensitized. Thirty seconds of relaxation instructions are followed by a description of the first scene to be visualized; this is followed by 15 set of silence to permit visuali~tion, followed by an instruction to stop picturing the scene and repeat the scene if any anxiety was felt. This is followed by 30 see of relaxation instructions, a description of the next scene to be visualized, 15 set of silence, the instruction to stop visualizing and to repeat the scene if any anxiety was felt, etc. If the patient needs more than 15 set for clear visualization he simply stops the tape-recorder. In preparing the tape the therapist records a continuous bass sound, “ooooo,” for approximately 5 set, before each 30 set relaxation section. If any anxiety is felt, the patient slides the thumb switch into the rewind position and he hears ali the sounds that have been recorded played at rapid speed in reverse. All the speech sounds are very brief and garbled. The 5 set bass sound is heard, however, as a clear continuous “beep” lasting for at least 1 sec. At this signal the patient slides the thumb switch from rewind to play. He will now be back at the beginning of the 30 set of relaxation instructions preceeding the scene to be repeated. The scene may be repeated any number of times with this procedure. Approximately 20 scenes may be recorded on one side of a cartridge. (Note that any inexpensive tape-recorder may be used that satisfies the specifications of (a) 30-40 ruin minimum playing time; (b) contro1 of playback, rewind, and stop with very little physical exertion and manipulating; (c) sound playback during rewinding to detect the beginning of each section.) Behavioral Design Ass., Inc. Philadelphia, Pa., U.S.A.
BERNARD
MIGLER
REFERENCE MIGLER, B.
and
WOLPE, J. (1967).
Automated
Self-Desensitization:
5, 133-135.
243
a case report.
Behav. Res. & Therapy