This study compares two treatment approaches for adolescents and young adults with social anxiety. One group will participate in therapy sessions using a virtual reality headset, while the other group will receive sertraline, a commonly used medication for social anxiety. The goal is to see which treatment is more effective in reducing anxiety symptoms and improving daily functioning. The study will also look at how acceptable and safe these treatments are. A total of 56 participants will be enrolled at Kocaeli University, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common psychiatric condition that often begins in adolescence and causes significant impairment in academic, social, and occupational functioning. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline have demonstrated efficacy, many families and patients hesitate to use pharmacological treatments due to concerns about side effects and personal preferences. Virtual reality (VR)-based exposure therapy has emerged as a promising intervention by providing controlled and immersive environments where social situations can be simulated safely. This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR exposure therapy compared with sertraline in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with SAD. Participants (N = 56) will be allocated to either VR therapy or sertraline treatment depending on treatment preference. The primary outcome will be reduction in social anxiety symptoms assessed with standardized clinical scales. Secondary outcomes will include functional improvements, treatment acceptability, and safety assessments. The trial is conducted at Kocaeli University, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and aims to provide evidence regarding whether VR exposure therapy can serve as an effective and acceptable alternative to pharmacological treatment in this population.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
56
Participants receive structured Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy sessions using a VR headset. The intervention provides simulated social situations (e.g., public speaking, group interactions) to gradually expose participants to anxiety-provoking scenarios. The sessions are guided and standardized to target symptoms of social anxiety disorder.
Participants receive pharmacological treatment with Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for social anxiety disorder. Dosage and administration will follow clinical guidelines and physician judgment.
Kocaeli University Hospital - Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Kocaeli, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGChange in Social Anxiety Symptoms (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, LSAS)
Change from baseline in social anxiety symptoms measured by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). The LSAS evaluates fear and avoidance across 24 items covering social interaction and performance situations, providing total and subscale scores.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 6, and Week 12
Change in Social Phobia Symptoms (Çapa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents, ÇESFÖ)
Change from baseline in social phobia symptoms measured by the Çapa Social Phobia Scale for Children and Adolescents (ÇESFÖ), a 25-item self-report Likert-type scale developed for ages 9-17. Higher scores indicate greater severity of social phobia symptoms.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 6, and Week 12
Change in Anxiety Symptoms (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, SCARED)
Change from baseline in anxiety symptoms measured by the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), including child- and parent-report forms (41 items total, yielding total and subscale scores).
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 6, and Week 12
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