Forty-eight people diagnosed with social phobia in an experimental study that randomized into two treatment groups: 1) Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) (n = 24) or 2) computerized attention training (n = 24). After nine weeks we change the condition of the two groups of research participants, which should therefore be given both treatments. Pre-and post measurement of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will take place in the first round of treatment. Genotyping based on saliva samples takes place before the start of treatment, at the first fMRI measurement, for those who voluntarily leave the sample. Study hypothesis How is the brain activity of emotional processing and anxiety affected after completing an Internet-based CBT compared with computerized attention training? Does the treatment response of an Internet based treatment affects by variations in serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) and tryptophan hydroxylase-3 (TPH3) genes? How is the genetic variations related to symptoms in social phobia (pre treatment)?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
26
The Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) consists of our structured self-help program lasting a total of nine active treatment weeks. This treatment program has been well evaluated and involved in several research projects.
The Internet-based computerized attention training program lasting a total of four active treatment weeks. The treatment is consist of two training sessions per week, about 10 minutes long.
Department of Psychology, Umeå University
Umeå, Västerbotten County, Sweden
Differences in recruited brain regions measured using regional cerebral blood flow
Blood-oxygen-level dependence (BOLD) signal change as measured with 3.0 T fMRI Change from baseline in BOLD signal expected between time frames.
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0), post treatment (week 11), 1 yr follow-up (week 63)
Social Phobia Screening Questionnaire (SPSQ)
Social Phobia Screening Questionnaire (SPSQ), diagnostic tool for social phobia. Change from baseline in social anxiety symptoms expected between time frames.
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0), post treatment (week 11), 1 yr follow-up (week 63)
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale self rated version (LSAS-SR)
Measure social anxiety and social phobia. Change from baseline in social anxiety symptoms expected between time frames.
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0), post treatment (week 11), 1 yr follow-up (week 63)
Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS)
Measure social anxiety and social phobia. Change from baseline in social anxiety symptoms expected between time frames.
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0), post treatment (week 11), 1 yr follow-up (week 63)
Social Phobia Scale (SPS)
Measure social phobia. Change from baseline in social anxiety symptoms expected between time frames.
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0), post treatment (week 11), 1 yr follow-up (week 63)
Variation in genes that have been associated with emotional processing
We will study allelic variation in genes that have been associated with emotional processing e.g. monoaminergic gene polymorphisms such as the serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR), tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) G-703T, and Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) 158Val/Met polymorphism
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0).
Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S)
Measure depression. Change from baseline in depressive symptoms expected between time frames.
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0), post treatment (week 11), 1 yr follow-up (week 63)
Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
Measure anxiety. Change from baseline in anxiety symptoms expected between time frames.
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0), post treatment (week 11), 1 yr follow-up (week 63)
Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI)
Measure quality of life. Change from baseline in quality of life expected between time frames.
Time frame: pretreatment (week 0), post treatment (week 11), 1 yr follow-up (week 63)
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