Therapy For Social Anxiety Disorder Research Articles

Affect integration, metacognitions, and early maladaptive schemas as predictors of outcome in cognitive and metacognitive therapies for social anxiety disorder

Objective Few reliable patient characteristics have emerged as significant predictors of outcomes for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). This study aimed to explore whether affect integration, metacognitions, and maladaptive schemas could serve as predictors of therapeutic outcomes for patients with SAD. Relationships between these psychological constructs and baseline SAD symptomatology were also examined. Methods Eighty-eight patients across three sites participated in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Metacognitive Therapy (MCT) for SAD in inpatient or outpatient clinics. Measures of predictors and SAD symptomatology were repeatedly assessed. Statistical analyses included longitudinal, multilevel modeling. Results Difficulties with affect integration, metacognitions and early maladaptive schemas clearly related to higher levels of SAD symptoms at baseline but were not generally predictive of changes in SAD symptoms during therapy. However, examining sub-domains revealed that difficulties with the integration of jealousy and tenderness, and the maladaptive schema of defectiveness/shame, predicted poorer outcomes. In contrast, initial difficulties with the integration of sadness, a greater lack of cognitive confidence, and the maladaptive schema of dependence/incompetence were associated with greater symptom improvement. Conclusion Identifying issues of affect integration and core self-other beliefs prior to therapy may enhance patient selection and allow for a more individualized treatment.

Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Social Anxiety Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a novel third-wave therapy becoming popular in the management of various anxiety disorders. In this systematic review, we wish to gather the data that have been studied to determine the effectiveness of ACT in treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). Methods: This study followed standard systematic review guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO prior to undertaking the review. Databases, namely PubMed, PsycINFO, Ovid MEDLINE, and gray literature (ClinicalTrials.gov, BASE) with relevant keywords, were searched from inception to February 2024. Randomized controlled trials encompassing both clinical and nonclinical populations aged more than 10 years diagnosed with SAD were included. These trials compared ACT with wait list controls (n = 6) and cognitive behavioral therapy (n = 3). The primary outcome focused on the reduction of symptoms associated with social anxiety, while quality of life served as a secondary outcome. Measures of effect were determined through pre-test and post-test mean values, alongside their respective standard deviations. The random effect model was used to calculate pooled effect size. The quality of the included papers was assessed using Cochrane RoB-1. Covidence software was used for the initial selection of studies, and meta-analyses were performed using RevMan software. Results: From the initial 442 study records that were searched, finally 9 studies were included for the systematic review, of which 6 studies were found suitable for meta-analysis. The pooled estimate for studies comparing ACT with wait list found that the overall effect size for social anxiety symptoms was g = −1.28 (95% confidence interval of -1.88, -0.69) favoring ACT intervention significantly. Conclusion: This review found that ACT is efficacious in treating SAD. Most of the studies included were conducted in adolescent females. Varying ACT intervention modalities were incorporated, with the primary outcome assessed using a range of scales. The results of our meta-analysis should be interpreted with caution because of heterogeneity and smaller number of studies being included. ACT can be considered a psychotherapeutic option for the management of SAD.

Sudden gains in internet cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder in routine clinical practice

BackgroundSudden gains are large symptom improvements between consecutive therapy sessions. They have been shown to occur in randomised controlled trials of internet-delivered psychological interventions, but little is known about their occurrence when such treatments are delivered in routine clinical practice. ObjectiveThis study examined the occurrence of sudden gains in a therapist-guided internet-delivered Cognitive Therapy intervention for social anxiety disorder (iCT-SAD) delivered in the UK NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression (formerly known as IAPT services). It aimed to assess whether sudden gains were associated with better therapy outcomes, and examine changes in process variables around the period of sudden gains. MethodsThe study examined sudden gains based on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Of 193 treated patients, 146 provided sufficient data to permit analysis. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the impact of sudden gains on clinical outcomes, and examine changes in negative social cognitions, self-focused attention, and depressed mood. ResultsSeventy sudden gains were found among 57 participants. The occurrence rate of sudden gains was 39 %. Individuals who experienced sudden gains had a larger reduction in social anxiety symptoms at end of intervention and at three-month follow-up. There was evidence of a reduction in the frequency of negative social cognitions prior to the gain, whereas changes in self-focused attention occurred simultaneously with the gain. Depressed mood did not show significant changes over these timepoints. ConclusionsApproximately 2 in 5 patients experienced a sudden gain whilst accessing the iCT-SAD intervention in routine practice. They were associated with better clinical outcomes following treatment compared to those who did not experience a sudden gain.

Change processes in cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder: A comparison of face-to-face and internet-based treatment formats

BackgroundCompared to efficacy research, studies investigating the processes of change in psychological therapy are rare, especially for internet-based interventions. While many online therapies are based on face-to-face therapy protocols, it is unknown whether the processes of clinical improvement differ between these treatment formats. ObjectiveTo examine candidate change processes in an online therapist-guided cognitive therapy intervention for social anxiety disorder (iCT-SAD), and compare the results to the corresponding face-to-face therapy (CT-SAD). MethodsData from a randomised controlled trial (n = 99) were analysed using Multilevel Structural Equation Models, incorporating the temporal precedence of the process variable, and disaggregating the within- and between-subject components of the predictors. These examined three candidate change processes: self-focused attention, negative social cognitions, and depressed mood. Moderated mediation models provided an additional test of the moderating effect of treatment format. ResultsNegative social cognitions and self-focused attention were supported as significant mediators of clinical improvement in both CT-SAD and iCT-SAD. Effects were of similar strength and moderated mediation was not observed. There was also evidence of cyclical relationships between social anxiety symptoms and these process variables. Depressed mood also emerged as a significant but weak mediator in CT-SAD, but not in iCT-SAD. Moderated mediation was not observed. ConclusionThe online format of therapy showed a similar pattern of change processes to face-to-face treatment, with self-focused attention and negative social cognitions mediating clinical improvement in both treatments. Efforts to improve the efficacy and efficiency of SAD interventions by targeting these factors may therefore be equally applicable to online and face-to-face interventions.

Translated and culturally adapted internet-delivered cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder in Japanese clinical settings: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundCognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder (CT-SAD) has extensive empirical support and is recommended in several national guidelines. However, ensuring access to evidence-based psychological therapies such as CT-SAD remains a global challenge. An internet-delivered version of this treatment protocol (iCT-SAD) has recently been developed in the UK as a way to overcome this challenge, demonstrating comparable outcomes to face-to-face CT-SAD whilst requiring less therapist time per client. Initial findings also suggest its cross-cultural transferability, but the previous studies in other cultural settings used the English language programme and only included English-fluent participants as a second language. It is not yet known what outcomes can be achieved once the programme has been translated and adapted for a different cultural context. Therefore, this trial aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Japanese iCT-SAD when combined with treatment as usual (TAU) in clients with SAD.MethodsThis two-arm, parallel-group, superiority randomised controlled trial will recruit 60 Japanese participants with SAD, randomly assigning them to either Japanese iCT-SAD + TAU or TAU alone at a ratio of 1:1. The primary outcome measure is the self-report Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and secondary.outcomes include other measures of social anxiety symptoms and processes, general mood and functioning, and response to treatment. We will also assess treatment acceptability and gather participant feedback. Assessments will take place at baseline (week 0), mid-treatment (week 8), and post-treatment (week 15), with a further 3-month follow-up (week 27) for the iCT-SAD + TAU arm. The primary analyses will be conducted on an intent-to-treat basis, comparing the primary and secondary outcome measures between groups using linear mixed-effect models, along with additional mediation analysis.DiscussionInvestigating the efficacy of translated and culturally adapted iCT-SAD in different cultural contexts is an important step in evaluating the global reach of internet interventions. This trial will provide valuable insights into the effects of iCT-SAD combined with usual care, and how this treatment could be delivered in routine clinical settings in Japan.Trial registrationInternational Standard Randomized Controlled Trials (ISRCTN), ISRCTN82859645, registered on January 19, 2024. UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000052702, registered on November 6, 2023.

A Review of Virtual Reality and Serious Games within Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder

A Review of Virtual Reality and Serious Games within Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder

Guided and unguided internet-delivered psychodynamic therapy for social anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is highly prevalent and debilitating disorder. Treatments exist but are not accessible and/or helpful for all patients, indicating a need for accessible treatment alternatives. The aim of the present trial was to evaluate internet-delivered psychodynamic therapy (IPDT) with and without therapist guidance, compared to a waitlist control condition, in the treatment of adults with SAD. In this randomized, clinical trial, we tested whether IPDT was superior to a waitlist control, and whether IPDT with therapeutic guidance was superior to unguided IPDT. Participants were recruited nationwide in Sweden. Eligible participants were ≥ 18 years old and scoring ≥ 60 on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale self-report (LSAS-SR) whilst not fulfilling any of the exclusion criteria. Included participants were randomly assigned to IPDT with guidance (n = 60), IPDT without guidance (n = 61), or waitlist (n = 60). The IPDT intervention comprised eight self-help modules based on affect-focused dynamic therapy, delivered over 8 weeks on a secure online platform. The primary outcome was SAD symptoms severity measured weekly by the LSAS-SR. Primary analyses were calculated on an intention-to-treat sample including all participants randomly assigned. Secondary outcomes were depressive symptoms, generalized anxiety, quality of life, emotion regulation and defensive functioning. At post-treatment, both active treatments were superior to the waitlist condition with guided treatment exhibiting larger between group effects than unguided treatment (d = 1.07 95% CI [0.72, 1.43], p < .001 and d = 0.61, 95% CI [0.25, 0.98], p = .0018) on the LSAS-SR respectively. Guided IPDT lead to larger improvements than unguided IPDT (d = 0.46, 95% CI [0.11, 0.80], p < .01). At post-treatment, guided IPDT was superior to waitlist on all secondary outcome measures. Unguided IPDT was superior to waitlist on depressive symptoms and general anxiety, but not on emotion regulation, self-compassion or quality of life. Guided IPDT was superior to unguided PDT on depressive symptoms, with a trend towards superiority on a measure of generalized anxiety. At six and twelve month follow-up there were no significant differences between guided and unguided IPDT. In conclusion, IPDT shows promising effects in the treatment of SAD, with larger benefits from guided IPDT compared to non-guided, at least at post-treatment. This finding increases the range of accessible and effective treatment alternatives for adults suffering from SAD. The study was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials (NCT05015166).

Salivary CRP predicts treatment response to virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder

BackgroundSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) places a profound burden on public health and individual wellbeing. Systemic inflammation may be important to the onset and maintenance of SAD, and anti-inflammatory treatments have shown promise in relieving symptoms of SAD. In the present study, we conducted secondary analyses on data from a randomized clinical trial to determine whether C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and social anxiety symptoms decreased over the course of virtual reality exposure therapy, and whether changes in social anxiety symptoms as a function of treatment varied as a function of CRP. MethodAdult participants (N = 78) with a diagnosis of SAD (59 % female) were randomized to receive exposure therapy alone, or exposure therapy supplemented with scopolamine. Social anxiety symptoms, salivary CRP, and subjective units of distress were measured across three exposure therapy sessions, at a post-treatment extinction retest, and at a 1-month follow-up. ResultsCRP decreased over the course of treatment, b = −0.03 (SE = 0.01), p =.02 95 %CI [−0.06, −0.004], as did all social anxiety symptom domains and subjective distress. Higher CRP was associated with greater decreases from pre-treatment to 1-month follow-up in fear, b = −0.45 (SE = 0.15), p =.004 95 %CI [−0.74, −0.15], and avoidance, b = −0.62 (SE = 0.19), p =.002 95 %CI [−1.01, −0.23], and in-session subjective distress from pre-treatment to post-treatment, b = −0.42 (SE = 0.21), p =.05 95 %CI [−0.83, −0.001]. However, declines in CRP were not correlated with declines in fear, r = −0.07, p =.61, or avoidance, r = −0.10, p =.49, within-persons. ConclusionsVirtual reality exposure therapy may be associated with an improvement in systemic inflammation in patients with severe SAD. Pre-treatment CRP may also be of value in predicting which patients stand to benefit the most from this treatment.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder

The emotional state of feeling uneasy, strange, uneasy, apprehensive, or even afraid while dealing with people is known as social anxiety. Developed by A.T.B. in the 1960s, cognitive behavior therapy is a systematic, brief, cognitively focused psychological treatment approach that focuses on psychological disorders including anxiety and depression as well as psychological issues brought on by illogical thought. This study provides a quick overview of related knowledge about social anxiety disorder and cognitive behavioral treatment through the analysis of two research. The results of this study indicate that social fear may be effectively treated using cognitive behavioral therapy; nevertheless, several limitations remain in the current research. People will benefit from the study by having a better understanding of cognitive behavioral therapy and being able to select the appropriate course of treatment going forward.

Cognitive behavioural therapy for social anxiety disorder in people with bipolar disorder: a case series

BackgroundSocial anxiety disorder increases the likelihood of unfavourable outcomes in people with bipolar disorder. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the first-line treatment for social anxiety disorder. However, people with bipolar disorder have been excluded from the studies that this recommendation is based on. MethodWe completed a case series to obtain initial data on whether CBT is an acceptable, safe, and effective treatment for social anxiety disorder in people with bipolar disorder.ResultsEleven euthymic participants with bipolar disorder attended up to sixteen treatment and three follow-up sessions of CBT for social anxiety disorder. Participants attended on average 95% of the offered CBT sessions. No adverse events were reported. Participants’ mean score on the Social Phobia Inventory decreased from 46.5 (SD 6.6) before the treatment to 19.8 (SD 11.9) at the end of the sixteen-session intervention and further to 15.8 (SD 10.3) by the end of the 3-month follow-up. This degree of improvement is equivalent to the effect observed in studies of CBT for social anxiety disorder in people without severe mental illness.ConclusionsThis case series provides preliminary evidence that CBT is acceptable, safe, and effective for treating social anxiety disorder in people with bipolar disorder during euthymia. A randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm these findings, and to establish whether treatment for social anxiety disorder improves the course of bipolar disorder.

What good are positive emotions for treatment? A replication test of whether trait positive emotionality predicts response to exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder

BackgroundPositive valence emotions serve functions that may facilitate response to exposure therapy – they encourage approach behavior, diminish perceived threat reactivity, and enhance assimilation of new information in memory. Few studies have examined whether positive emotions predict exposure therapy success and extant findings are mixed. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of an exposure therapy trial for social anxiety disorder to test the hypothesis that patients endorsing higher trait positive emotions at baseline would display the greatest treatment response. N = 152 participants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of d-cycloserine augmentation completed five sessions of group exposure therapy. Pre-treatment positive emotionality was assessed using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory. Social anxiety symptoms were assessed throughout treatment by blinded evaluators using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. Results: Accounting for baseline symptom severity, multilevel growth curve models revealed that patients with higher pre-treatment positive emotionality displayed faster social anxiety symptom reductions and lower scores at 3-month follow-up. This predictive effect remained significant after controlling for baseline depression and extraversion (without the positive emotionality facet). Conclusions: These findings add to emerging evidence suggesting that explicitly targeting and enhancing positive emotions during exposure to perceived threat may improve treatment outcomes for anxiety and fear-based disorders. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02066792https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02066792

Scheduled Support Versus Support on Demand in Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Clinician-supported internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) can be an effective treatment option when treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). Unguided ICBT is often found to be less effective. One possible solution to reduce the costs of clinician support is to provide support on demand. In this format of guidance, participants have the option to contact their clinician if needed. In a few studies, this mode of support has been compared favorably to scheduled support. Participants in a previously reported controlled trial on SAD who had been in a waitlist control group were randomly allocated to ICBT with either on-demand guidance or scheduled weekly therapist guidance. A total of 99 participants were included. Data were collected weekly on the primary outcome measure, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale self-report (LSAS-SR), and at pre- and post-treatment for secondary measures. Data were analyzed in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle using mixed-effects models. Both groups improved significantly during the treatment according to the LSAS-SR ratings. The groups did not differ in their estimated change during the treatment period, with a between-group effect of d = 0.02, 95% CI [-0.37, 0.43]. Both groups experienced similar improvement also on the secondary outcome measures, with small between-group effect sizes on all outcomes. The findings indicate that support on demand can be an effective way of providing guidance in ICBT for SAD, although more research on this topic is needed. A limitation of the study is that it was conducted in 2009, and the findings were in the file drawer. Subsequent published studies support our initial findings, but more research is needed.

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial in Hong Kong.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. In Hong Kong, the prevalence of SAD is high, but its treatment rate is low. SAD has immense impact on academic or work performance, social life, career development, and quality of life. One of the most effective treatments for SAD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with internet-based CBT (iCBT) and virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) showing promise in treating SAD. However, internet interventions are underdeveloped in Chinese communities including Hong Kong. This study aims to develop an iCBT program that includes VRET, called "Ease Anxiety in Social Event Online" (Ease Online), for Hong Kong adults with SAD in a randomized controlled trial. The 14-week Ease Online program is a guided self-help iCBT program with a blended mode of service delivery. The program comprises 9 web-based modules and 5 individual counseling sessions (including 2 VRET sessions) conducted remotely or face-to-face with a therapist to provide therapist support, as guided iCBT shows superior effects than unguided iCBT. Other program components include therapist feedback on assignments, internal messages, forums, client portfolios, web-based questionnaires, reminders, and web-based bookings. The program can be accessed either through a mobile app or program website through a PC with an internet connection. The participants are openly recruited and screened using a questionnaire and through an intake interview. Eligible participants are randomized by placing them into a web-based iCBT group, app-based iCBT group, or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Participants in the WLC group are assigned to the app-based program upon completion of the service of the 2 experimental groups. Measurements of social anxiety, depression and anxiety symptoms, psychological distress, automatic thoughts, and quality of life are administered at pretest, posttest, and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Multivariate ANOVA with repeated measures will be performed to determine the intervention effectiveness on the continuous variables over time. Participant recruitment commenced in January 2021. As of February 2023, a total of 1811 individuals applied for the Ease Online program. In total, 401 intake interviews have been completed, and 329 eligible participants have joined the program, among whom 166 have completed the service. Data collection is still ongoing, which is expected to be completed in March 2024. This study is the first of its kind in combining iCBT and VRET for the treatment of SAD in Hong Kong. At a theoretical level, this study contributes to the development and evaluation of internet-based psychological interventions in Hong Kong. At a practical level, the Ease Online program may serve as an alternative service option for SAD clients in Hong Kong if proven effective. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04995913; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04995913. DERR1-10.2196/48437.

Adolescents' experience of receiving internet-delivered cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder

BackgroundSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) is a debilitating condition that usually begins in adolescence. We recently demonstrated preliminary efficacy of an internet-delivered therapist-assisted version of Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) for adolescents called Online Social anxiety Cognitive therapy for Adolescents (OSCA). Here we report on the helpfulness, support, and overall acceptability of OSCA from the perspective of trial participants. MethodsParticipants were 17 young people aged 15–18 years who had participated in a trial of OSCA. Post-treatment, participants completed an online treatment acceptability questionnaire and took part in a semi-structured interview to gain an understanding of their experience of OSCA. ResultsOverall, there was a very high rate of treatment satisfaction. Core aspects of the treatment were viewed as most helpful, including behavioural experiments even though participants found them challenging. Participants found the online nature of the treatment helpful, allowing for easier communication with the therapist, regular encouragement from the therapist, and the ability to go back to their treatment and view their progress. Challenges were, for some, the quantity of content and practical issues around scheduling the short weekly calls with their therapist. ConclusionsThis study suggests that young people felt helped and supported by OSCA.

Internet-Based Versus Face-to-Face Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Control Trial

During the COVID-19 epidemic, face-to-face mental health services faced obstacles. Using Internet-based interventions was a good solution and had the potential to overcome these treatment barriers. However, there is no strong research evidence about the effectiveness of these methods for social anxiety disorder in different cultures and developing countries. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and application of Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder in Iran. The current study was a pretest-posttest follow-up experimental design. Fifty-four adolescents with social anxiety disorder were selected from Lorestan province (Iran) by cluster sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: face-to-face, internet-based, and wait-list control. At the beginning and end of the study and 3-month follow-up, three groups were interviewed and answered questionnaires related to the primary and secondary symptoms of social anxiety disorder. Two experimental groups were treated with the same therapeutic intervention during 10 weekly sessions. ANCOVA analysis showed that both forms of intervention effectively reduced social phobia, fear of negative evaluation and social interaction anxiety and increased emotion regulation. Also, a significant decrease in secondary outcomes, including physical symptoms, insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression symptoms, was observed in both groups. The treatment effects were stable during a 3-month follow-up. Our findings showed that although Internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy for adolescents with social anxiety disorder can be effective, several clinical, cultural, and implementation weaknesses should be considered.

Japanese Society of Anxiety and Related Disorders/Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology: Clinical practice guideline for social anxiety disorder (2021).

The development of clinical practice guidelines for social anxiety disorder began in March 2018 when the Joint Clinical Practice Guideline Development Committee for Anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders was formed by the Japanese Society of Anxiety and Related Disorders and Japanese Society of Neuropsychopharmacology to jointly develop guidelines for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Based on the universal concept of evidence-based medicine, three clinical questions (CQs) about pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy were developed for clinical guidelines for social anxiety disorder, panic disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder in accordance with the Minds "Manual for Guidelines Development 2017 by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care: CQ1-"What is the recommended pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder in adults?"; CQ2-"What is the recommended psychotherapy (psychological intervention) for social anxiety disorder in adults?"; and CQ3-"What are the recommendations regarding monotherapy and combination therapy for social anxiety disorder in adults in terms of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy (psychological interventions)?" Summarized recommendations for social anxiety disorder in adults are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for CQ1, cognitive behavioral therapy for CQ2, and there are no recommendations regarding monotherapy and combination therapy for CQ3. These were answered by considering the balance between benefits and harms based on systematic reviews of each. The aim of this brief guideline for the standard-of-care (i.e., medical treatment) for social anxiety disorder in adults (18 years and older) was to help "shared decision making," in which medical professionals, including physicians, and patients share scientific evidence to decide on a course of treatment.

Effectiveness of Acceptance Commitment Therapy in Social Anxiety Disorder: Application of a Longitudinal Method to Evaluate the Mediating Role of Acceptance, Cognitive Fusion, and Values.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on symptom severity, fear of negative evaluation, quality of life (QoL), and the mediating role of acceptance, cognitive fusion, and value among patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Thirty patients diagnosed with SAD were randomized in the intervention (n=15) or waiting list groups (n=15). The social phobia and Anxiety inventory (SPAI), brief fear of negative evaluation scale (BFNE), World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQoL) scale, social anxiety-acceptance and action questionnaire (SA-AAQ), cognitive fusion questionnaire (CFQ), and valued living questionnaire (VLQ) were administered before, immediately after, and at a one-month follow-up. Repeated measurement design was used in the intervention group to investigate the changes of mediation and outcomes variables in the pre-test, during treatment, and post-test. Twenty-four patients completed the study. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), and repeated measurements. There were significant differences between the intervention and waiting list groups in the severity of symptoms (P=0.001), fear of negative evaluation (P=0.002), and QoL (P=0.03), as well as in terms of specific measures of SA-AAQ (P=0.001), cognitive fusion (P=0.001), an important section of VLQ (P=0.001). Repeated measurement results showed that acceptance and action of social anxiety and cognitive fusion had a mediating role in the severity of social anxiety, fear of negative evaluation, and QoL. The results indicated the effectiveness of ACT for SAD and highlighted the mediator role of social anxiety, acceptance and action, and cognitive fusion in the severity of SAD. This study evaluated effectiveness of acceptance commitment therapy(ACT) on social anxiety disorders (SAD).This study evaluated mechanisms of change of ACT in SAD.ACT has effectiveness for SAD.Acceptance and action and cognitive fusion have mediator role in SAD. Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most psychiatric disorders. Although CBT has been effective for SAD, most patients continue to demonstrate residual symptoms and impairment after treatment. Over the past several years, a third-wave behavioral therapy has been developed within behavioral and cognitive approaches. Some researchers suggest a new generation of psychotherapists termed acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) that has many evidence in SAD. However, studies have not examined the mechanism of change of ACT in SAD using methods and proper instruments.in the present study ACT have effectiveness for SAD. In addition to, acceptance and action and cognitive fusion have mediator role in SAD.

Scoping review of the hardware and software features of virtual reality exposure therapy for social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and specific phobia

Introduction: The use of virtual reality technology to deliver exposure therapy in the treatment of phobic anxiety (i.e., social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, and specific phobia) has been proposed to be advantageous compared with in-vivo exposure therapy. These supposed advantages depend on the features of the virtual reality technology and how it is used therapeutically. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive overview of the features of the hardware and software used in studies examining virtual reality exposure therapy studies for phobic anxiety disorders.Methods: 70 studies using virtual reality exposure therapy to treat social anxiety disorder, agoraphobia and/or specific phobia, were systematically reviewed for 46 data points relating to these features.Results: We found that studies generally did not utilize contemporary virtual reality technology and that hardware and software features were inconsistently delineated.Discussion: The implications of these findings are that the use of modern virtual reality technology represents a relevant frontier in anxiety treatment and that a framework for reporting technical features of virtual reality exposure interventions would benefit the field.

Attention Training Program May Improve Social Anxiety Symptoms

Attention Training Program May Improve Social Anxiety Symptoms

Sudden gains in face-to-face and internet-based cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder

Sudden gains are large and stable decreases in clinical symptoms between consecutive therapy sessions. This work examined the frequency and possible determinants of sudden gains in Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder, comparing face-to-face (CT) and internet-based (iCT) formats of treatment delivery. Data from 99 participants from a randomised controlled trial were analysed. The frequency of sudden gains was high: 64% and 51% of participants experienced a sudden gain in CT and iCT respectively. Having a sudden gain was associated with lower social anxiety symptoms at posttreatment and follow-up. There was evidence of reductions in negative social cognitions and self-focused attention immediately prior to the sudden gain, contrasting with no prior reductions in depression symptoms. Ratings of session videotapes in CT showed that clients' statements indicated greater generalised learning in sessions immediately prior to gains, compared to control sessions. This may suggest a role for generalised learning in facilitating these large symptom reductions. There were no significant differences in results between the CT and iCT treatment formats, suggesting that the therapy content appears to play a more important role in determining participants’ large symptom improvements than the medium of treatment delivery.