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A Novel Computer-Based Therapy for Social Anxiety

A Novel Computer-Based Therapy for Social Anxiety

Status
Suspended
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03240003
Enrollment
60
Registered
2017-08-04
Start date
2017-08-25
Completion date
2026-12-01
Last updated
2026-02-04

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

Conditions

Social Anxiety Disorder

Keywords

Social Anxiety, Social Anxiety Disorder, SAD

Brief summary

The present study is a double blind trial that seeks to examine the feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and mechanism of a recently developed eye-tracking-based therapy (GC-MRT) in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD)

Detailed description

The present study is a double blind trial that seeks to examine the feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and mechanism of a recently developed eye-tracking-based therapy (GC-MRT) in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). The purpose of this study is to assess whether a brief computer-based research treatment, provided in 30 minutes sessions twice a week for 4 weeks, helps improve social anxiety symptoms, and by what mechanism. The study will also assess the effect of research treatments on brain activity using a scan called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Interventions

BEHAVIORALGC-MRT

Group 1 will receive a 4-week (8-sessions) course of GC-MRT

BEHAVIORALmodified GC-MRT

group 3 will receive a 4-week (8-sessions) course of GC-MRT, modified

BEHAVIORALNon-GC-MRT

Group 2 will receive a 4-week (8-sessions) course of non-GC-MRT

Sponsors

New York State Psychiatric Institute
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Males and females between the ages of 18 and 60 * Current DSM-V primary diagnosis of SAD * Score of at least 50 on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (Self-rated version) * Fluent in English and willing and able to give informed written consent and 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 PTSD, 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 allowed) * Use of psychiatric medication in the past month other than a stable dose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for a least 3 months * Any concurrent cognitive behavioral therapy; other psychotherapy that was initiated in the past 3 months * Pregnancy, or plans to become pregnant during the period of the study - will be assessed by Urine β-HCG * Contraindication to MRI scanning: * Paramagnetic metallic implants or devices contraindicating magnetic resonance imaging or any other non-removable paramagnetic metal in the body (e.g. pacemaker, paramagnetic metallic prosthesis, surgical clips, shrapnel, necessity for constant medicinal patch, some tattoos) * Being unable to tolerate the scanning procedures (i.e., severe obesity, claustrophobia)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale4 monthsTotal score of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)4 monthsThe Social Phobia Inventory (abbreviated as SPIN) is a self-rated questionnaire that will be used to assess severity of social anxiety Disorder. 17 items related to social anxiety each rated on a score of 0 to 4, with a minimum total score of 0 (least social anxiety), and a maximum total score of 68 (most social anxiety).
Quality of Life Enjoyment & Satisfaction Questionnaire4 monthsQuality of Life Enjoyment \& Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q): self-rated assessment of quality of life. 16 items related to life quality, each rated on a score of 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good), with a minimum total score of 16, and a maximum total score of 80.
Revised Social Anhedonia Scale4 months40-item self-rated social anhedonia scale. Items are comprised of statements that participants agree or disagree with, by answering "yes"(1), or "no"(0), with some items reverse-coded. The minimum score is 0 (least social anhedonia); maximum score is 40 (most social anhedonia).
Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale4 monthsSnaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS). Fourteen-item self-rated anhedonia scale. Items were comprised of statements that participants rated as "strongly disagree" (1), "disagree" (2), "agree" (3), or "strongly agree" (4). The lowest possible score was 14, the highest possible score was 56 (greatest anhedonia)
Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression - 17 item version4 monthsHamilton Rating Scale for Depression -17 item version. This standard scale will be used to assess severity of depression, minimum score is 0 (least depression); maximum score is 50 (greatest depression).
Clinical Global Impression-Change Scale4 monthsClinical Global Impression-Change Scale: A quickly administered and widely used observer rating, with rating from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse). Responder category is defined by a score of 1 or 2.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORFranklin Schneier, MD

NYSPI

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026