Online Study on the Impact of a Self-Help Tool for Social Anxiety

Trustees of Princeton University

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to understand which individuals benefit most from an internet-based cognitive behavioral intervention for social anxiety. Adults aged 18-65 will complete a self-guided online program designed to reduce anxiety symptoms. The investigators will use a combination of self-reported clinical information and data from computerized decision-making and cognitive tasks to predict changes in symptom scores from the intervention.

Eligibility

Age range: 18–65 years
Sex: All
Healthy volunteers: Yes

Detailed criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 65 years * Live in the United States * Comfortable reading and writing in English * Have regular access to the internet and a desktop/laptop computer * Report wanting to feel more comfortable in social situations, to improve social confidence, and/or to reduce symptoms of social anxiety as primary reason for joining the study * Have a valid photo ID and be willing to complete a video-based identity verification call if requested Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of attention when completing parts of the study, and/or not completing the study tasks as instructed

Interventions

Behavioral
Internet-delivered self-help for social anxiety based on principles of cognitive behavioral therapy
Participants will be offered the use of a self-help tool, e-couch (https://ecouch.com.au), for 5 weeks. e-couch is an online, self-directed tool that provides interactive self-help and evidence-based information to help users understand and manage common mental health challenges including symptoms of depression and anxiety. The e-couch social anxiety program will be used in this study. It is structured like an interactive self-help book and participants can log back into at any time to learn and review skills. The e-couch social anxiety program includes a comprehensive information module, as well as self-help modules with interactive exercises and workbooks that teach evidence-based strategies. The content will cover topics such as cognitive restructuring and exposure, with an emphasis on learning strategies to reduce social anxiety.

Location

Princeton University, but recruitment and study are conducted completely online and can occur anywhere in the US.
Princeton, New Jersey