Clinician-guided versus coach-guided self-help for social anxiety

Chinese Internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder in Hong Kong: A Randomised Controlled Noninferiority Trial to Compare Clinician Versus Coach Guidance

This program will test whether a Chinese internet-based CBT course with either clinician guidance or coach support can help Hong Kong adults with generalized social anxiety disorder.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 110 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 100 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Shatin)
• Trial ID: NCT05292612 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers will adapt the UK iCBT(C&W) protocol into traditional Chinese and deliver it online to adults in Hong Kong who meet criteria for generalized social anxiety disorder. Participants who are Cantonese-speaking and have internet access will be randomized to versions with clinician guidance or coach support and complete the self-help modules remotely. Key exclusions include current psychosis, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, active suicidality, moderate-to-severe substance or alcohol use disorder, or prior CBT for SAD. Outcomes will compare symptom change and feasibility between the two guidance formats.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are Hong Kong residents aged 18+ who consider generalized social anxiety their main problem, are proficient in written traditional Chinese and spoken Cantonese, have home internet access, and do not have disqualifying psychiatric comorbidities or prior CBT for SAD.

Not a fit: Patients with current or past psychosis, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, active suicidality, moderate/severe substance or alcohol use disorder, the performance-only SAD subtype, or prior CBT for SAD are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could expand affordable, effective treatment options for social anxiety in Hong Kong by reaching more patients with less therapist time.

How similar studies have performed: Similar internet-based CBT programs, including the original UK iCBT(C&W), have shown high efficacy in prior UK and Hong Kong trials with English-speaking patients.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

* Meets DSM-5 criteria for SAD (SAD must be generalised, not the 'performance only' subtype)
* Considers SAD their main problem
* Age 18 or over (no upper age limit)
* No current psychotropic mediation, or on a stable dose for at least two months without improvement, and willing to remain at this dose throughout trial
* Participant agrees not to start any other forms of treatment during the trial
* Chinese resident of Hong Kong
* Proficient in written traditional Chinese and spoken Cantonese
* Internet access from home

Exclusion

* current or past psychosis, bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder
* active suicidality
* 'Moderate' or 'Severe' Alcohol Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorder (based on DSM-5)
* No current or previous CBT for SAD (defined as at least 5 sessions, and including an exposure component), including internet-CBT studies
* Not another current emotional problem that is the participant's main concern (Participant must not be largely absorbed in another emotional problem, for which it would be unethical not to address as a priority)

Where this trial is running

Shatin

• The Chinese University of Hong Kong — Shatin, Hong Kong (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Patrick Leung, Prof. — Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Study coordinator: Patrick Leung, Prof.

Conditions Social Anxiety Disorder