Evidence-based Internet Cognitive-behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety

Launched by UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE · May 3, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying an online therapy program called the iCBT Shyness Program, which is designed to help people with social anxiety. The researchers want to adapt and test this program for Canadian adults, both in English and French, to see how well it works in improving symptoms of social anxiety. The study will take place in Quebec and Ontario, and it aims to understand how well people complete the program and what factors help or hinder its use.

To participate, you need to be at least 18 years old, speak and write in either French or English, and have internet access on a digital device. You'll also need to show signs of social anxiety through a questionnaire. However, if you have severe depression or certain other conditions, you won't be eligible to join. Participants can expect to engage with the online program and share their experiences through interviews, which will help the researchers understand how effective this therapy is and how it can be improved for future users.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged ≥18 years; and
• • Speak and write in French or English; and
• • Have access to the internet and a digital device; and
• • Screen for social anxiety using the 17-item Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) questionnaire (\> 20).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Self-report severe symptoms of depressions (PHQ-9 score ≥ 23); or
• • Thoughts they would be better off dead or hurting themselves on the 9th item of PHQ-9 in the past two weeks or thoughts or wishes to kill themselves on the 9th item of the Beck Depression Inventory-II; or
• • A diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or problems related to active substance use or dependence; or
• • Current use of benzodiazepines.