Waitlist-Control Trial of Smartphone (App-based) CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Overview

The investigators are testing the efficacy of Smartphone-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD). The investigators hypothesize that participants receiving app-CBT will have greater reduction in LSAS scores than those in the waitlist condition at treatment endpoint (week 12).

The primary aims of this study are to test the efficacy of a Smartphone-based CBT treatment for adults with SAD recruited nationally. Eligible subjects (N=80) will be randomly assigned to 12 weeks of Smartphone-delivered CBT for SAD either immediately, or after a 12-week long waiting period (50-50 chance). The investigators hypothesize that Smartphone-delivered CBT for SAD will be feasible and acceptable to individuals with SAD, and that it will lead to greater reductions in SAD symptom severity compared to the passage of time (waitlist control).

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Conditions

Social Anxiety Disorder

Interventions

Smartphone-delivered CBT for SADDEVICE

12-week Smartphone-delivered CBT for SAD. In-person cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment for SAD. The app-delivered CBT in this project includes modules such as cognitive skills (e.g., cognitive restructuring, core belief work), behavioral skills (e.g., exposure with ritual prevention), and perceptual retraining/mindfulness skills.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * At least 18 years of age * Current diagnosis of primary DSM-5 SAD, based on MINI * Currently living in the United States Exclusion Criteria: * Psychotropic medication changes within 2 months prior to enrollment i. Participants taking psychotropic medication must have been on a stable dose for at least 2 months prior to enrollment and not change medication during study period * Past participation in ≥ 4 sessions of CBT for SAD * Current severe substance use disorder * Lifetime bipolar disorder or psychosis * Current severe comorbid major depression, as indicated by clinical judgment and/or a QIDS-SR total score ≥ 21 \*\*\*EDIT\*\*\* * Acute, active suicidal ideation as indicated by clinical judgment and/or a score ≥ 2 on the suicidal ideation subscale of the C-SSRS * Concurrent psychological treatment * Does not own a supported mobile Smartphone with a data plan * Lack of technology literacy that would interfere with ability to engage with smartphone treatment

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Difference in SAD severity (LSAS) at the end of treatment/waitlist period.

The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) is a clinician-administered measure of social anxiety symptom severity. It contains 24 social situations likely to elicit social anxiety, and items are scored on a Likert scale ranging from 0 to 3. Higher scores indicate more severe SAD symptoms. The LSAS will be used to assess change in social anxiety symptoms from baseline to endpoint.

Time frame: Endpoint (week 12)

Secondary Outcomes

Difference in depression severity as assessed by change in The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale - Revised (CESD-R) total scores from baseline to week 12.

Participants who receive app-CBT will have a difference in depression severity as assessed by change in The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale - Revised (CESD-R) total scores from baseline to week 12. The CESD-R is a self-report measure of depressive symptoms consisting of 20 scale items with responses ranging from 0 to 4, including two questions about suicidal ideation (item #14, #15). Higher scores correspond with greater depression severity, and the measure is a well-validated, sensitive measure of symptom severity in depression.

Time frame: Endpoint (week 12)

Difference in functional impairment as measured by change in The Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) total scores from baseline to week 12.

Participants who receive app-CBT will have a difference in functional impairment as measured by change in The Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) total scores from baseline to week 12. The WSAS uses a Likert scale from 0 (not at all impaired) to 8 (very severely impaired) to assess impairment in occupational, social, and family/friends domains. Higher scores indicate greater impairment.

Time frame: Endpoint (week 12)

Difference in quality of life as assessed by change in The Quality of Life, Enjoyment, and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form (QLESQ-SR) total scores from baseline to week 12.

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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