Evaluation of an online cognitive-behavioural treatment programme for social anxiety for higher education students: the Participate programme.

A randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of the Participate online cognitive-behavioural treatment programme for social anxiety for higher education students whose social anxiety scores exceed cut-off points on the SIAS-6/SPS-6 social anxiety scales, comparing changes in social anxiety score at programme end and 3-month follow-up for participants with weekly online support; those without weekly online support; and those on a waiting-list.

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN12505737

Enrollment

200

Registered

2015-12-03

Start date

2014-09-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2016-10-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Social anxiety. Mental and Behavioural Disorders

Interventions

There are 3 arms to the trial: 1. Group 1 will undertake an online cognitive-behavioural programme for social anxiety with weekly support via email 2. Group 2 will undertake the same programme but wit

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Participants must be registered students of the relevant higher-education institution 2. Participants must have a score 6 or more on the SIAS-6 questionnaire or 3 or more on the SPS-6 psychometric scales

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: Participants must not: 1. be acutely suicidal 2. begin or change a dose of psychoactive medication in the period from 1 month preceding the programme until its end 3. be receiving psychotherapeutic treatment in the period from 1 month preceding the programme until its end 4. have a history of bipolar depression 5. have previously received cognitive-behavioural therapy

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Primary outcome measures are to assess the severity of social anxiety. They consist of: 1. The 6-question short form of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6) 2. The 6-question short form of the Social Phobia Scale (SPS-6) They are measured at completion of an introductory module; after 8 weeks (at programme end); and 3 months later in a follow-up.	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Social anxiety, consisting of the short form of the Social Phobia Inventory (miniSPIN), and administered at weekly intervals during the 8-week programme 2. Severity of depression and suicidal ideation, consisting of the 9-question form of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and administered at the end of an introductory module; after 8 weeks (at programme end); and 3 months later in a follow-up 3. Self-reported social, academic and occupational functioning, consisting of some purpose-designed questions, which are administered at weekly intervals during the 8-week programme, at programme end, and 3 months later in a follow-up	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Social anxiety, consisting of the short form of the Social Phobia Inventory (miniSPIN), and administered at weekly intervals during the 8-week programme 2. Severity of depression and suicidal ideation, consisting of the 9-question form of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and administered at the end of an introductory module; after 8 weeks (at programme end); and 3 months later in a follow-up 3. Self-reported social, academic and occupational functioning, consisting of some purpose-designed questions, which are administered at weekly intervals during the 8-week programme, at programme end, and 3 months later in a follow-up

—

Countries

Ireland, United Kingdom

Contacts

Public ContactÉamonn Ó Dochartaigh

eamonn.odochartaigh@nuigalway.ie+353 91 492484

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026