The study will adapt and implement a Pakistani version of Internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder (iCT-SAD), assessing its effectiveness in reducing social anxiety symptoms among Pakistani individuals.
The study will adapt and implement a Pakistani version of Internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder (iCT-SAD), assessing its effectiveness in reducing social anxiety symptoms among Pakistani individuals. This randomized controlled trial will involve culturally tailored online therapy modules, therapist support, and regular progress assessments. The goal is to evaluate the efficacy of iCT-SAD in a Pakistani context, comparing outcomes to a control group. The primary outcome measure is the self-report Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and secondary outcomes include other measures of social anxiety symptoms and processes, general mood and functioning, and response to treatment
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
800
The intervention arm will receive a Pakistani version of Internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder (iCT-SAD), assessing its effectiveness in reducing social anxiety symptoms among Pakistani individuals. This will involve culturally tailored online therapy modules, therapist support, and regular progress assessments.
The primary outcome is change in Social Anxiety score (LSAS)
The primary outcome will be measured by Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. The 24 items are first rated on a Likert Scale from 0 to 3 on fear felt during the situations, and then the same items are rated regarding avoidance of the situation. Each item is rated on a four-item Likert scale ranging from 0 (no fear/never avoidance) to 3 (high fear/usually avoidance), with lower scores indicating a better outcome
Time frame: 6-months from baseline
The secondary outcome is change in Social Cognitions symptoms
The secondary outcome will be measured by the Social Cognitions Questionnaire (SCQ). SCQ is a 22-item scale that assesses the most common negative automatic thoughts related to SAD. Each thought is rated in terms of how often it occurred in the last week and how much it is believed. The mean scores for frequency (mean ranges from 1 to 5) and for belief (mean ranges from 0 to 100) are computed separately, with lower scores indicating a better outcome.
Time frame: 6-months from baseline
The secondary outcome is change in depressive symptoms
The secondary outcome will be measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). PHQ-9 is a scale that will be used for assessing depressive symptoms. This scale contains 9 questions answered on a 4-point Likert scale, with numbers from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). A higher score reflects more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 6-months from baseline
The secondary outcome is change in generalised anxiety symptoms
GAD-7 is a validated questionnaire commonly used to assess generalized anxiety symptoms and their severity. This scale consists of 7 questions answered on a 4-item Likert scale, with numbers from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). A higher score reflects more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 6-months from baseline
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
The secondary outcome is change in perceived functional impairment
WSAS is a five-item scale that measures perceived functional impairment across five domains: work, home management, social leisure activities, private leisure activities, and relationships with others. Each item is rated on a 9-point severity scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 8 (very severely), based on the degree to which the issue impedes one's ability to perform an activity.
Time frame: 6-months from baseline
The secondary outcome is change in Social participation and social satisfaction
Social participation and social satisfaction will be measured with Alden and Taylor's scales. Social participation has 13 items that ask about the frequency of participation in social interactions, events, and conversations in the last month. Each item is rated from 1 (not at all) to 7 (frequently). Social satisfaction has five items that ask about satisfaction with relationships with colleagues, friends, and partners in the last month. Each item is rated from 1 (not satisfied at all) to 7 (very satisfied).
Time frame: 6-months from baseline