Computer-based therapy for social anxiety disorder

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized trial tests two forms of a brief computer-based therapy delivered in 30-minute sessions over four weeks to adults with social anxiety disorder. It aims to determine feasibility, acceptability, and relative efficacy, and to explore how the treatment may change brain activity using MRI. The study compares two versions of the therapy to see which works better and through what mechanisms. Participants will undergo MRI to examine neural changes associated with treatment effects. Recruitment is limited to English-speaking adults aged 18 to 60 without certain psychiatric or medical exclusions at a New York-based research site.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Males and females between the ages of 18 to 60
* Current primary diagnosis of SAD
* Score of at least 50 on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (self-rated version)
* Fluent in English
* Willing and able to give informed written consent
* Ability to participate responsibly in the protocol
* Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion Criteria:

* Present or past psychotic episode, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder
* Current severe depression
* Suicidal ideation or behavior
* Current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, manic episode or tic disorder
* Current or past organic mental disorder, seizure disorder, epilepsy or brain injury
* Current unstable or untreated medical illness
* Severe alcohol use disorder, severe cannabis use disorder, and any severity of other substance use disorder (except nicotine use disorders)
* Use of psychiatric medication in the past month other than a stable dose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), buspirone, or zolpidem for sleep for at least 3 months
* Any concurrent cognitive behavioral therapy or other psychotherapy that was initiated in the past 3 months
* Contraindication to MRI scanning

Where it's running

• 1051 Riverside Drive
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Franklin Schneier, Md — New York State Psychiatric Institute
• Study coordinator: Franklin Schneier, MD
• Email: franklin.schneier@nyspi.columbia.edu
• Phone: 6467748041

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Anxiety Skills Study: See if video skill training plus therapy helps people with anxiety

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• taVNS Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder

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• Metacognitive Therapy vs Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

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  Recruiting Karolinska Institutet · Stockholm · NCT07382323

• VR exposure therapy versus sertraline for social anxiety in teens

  This study will test whether virtual reality exposure therapy or the medication sertraline works better for adolescents aged 12–17 with social anxiety.

  Recruiting Phase 4 Kocaeli University · Kocaeli · NCT07192367

• Mindful Self-Compassion delivered in person versus by video for anxiety and depression

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  Recruiting Georgetown University · Washington D.C., District of Columbia · NCT07028216

• Stepped versus stratified care for anxiety in children and adolescents

  This project tests whether starting all 8–17-year-olds with anxiety on online CBT and adding in-person CBT only if needed (stepped care) works as well as assigning online or in-person CBT up front based on clinical complexity (stratified care).

  Recruiting Region Skane · Lund · NCT06942429

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.