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Social Anxiety DisorderNCT03415022

Computer-Based Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

A study testing computer-based treatment in people with Social Anxiety Disorder, run by New York State Psychiatric Institute at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

The present study is an open trial that seeks to examine the feasibility, acceptability, mechanism, and efficacy of a recently developed computer-based therapy in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 60 years
Conditions the study is for
Social Anxiety Disorder
What is being tested?
computer-based treatment
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
41 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
30 Jan 2018to 31 Mar 2020
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 60 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Males and females between the ages of 18 and 60
  • Current 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

Who cannot join

  • Present or past psychotic episode, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder
  • Current severe depression
  • Suicidal ideation or behavior
  • Current diagnosis of posttraumatic 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
Show all 13Show fewer
  • 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
  • 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)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute

    New York, New York, 10032

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: A Novel Computer-Based Treatment for Social Anxiety: Target Engagement

The present study is an open trial that seeks to examine the feasibility, acceptability, mechanism, and efficacy of a recently developed computer-based therapy in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD)

Read the detailed description

This randomized clinical trial examines the feasibility, acceptability, mechanism, and relative efficacy of two "doses" (standard 4-week/8 session vs. extended 8-week/12-session) of a recently developed computer-based therapy 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, helps improve social anxiety symptoms, and by what mechanism. The study will also assess the effect of research treatments on brain activity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Being tested
computer-based treatment
Keywords
SAD, Social Anxiety, Social Phobia
Medical subject headings
Phobia, Social

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • computer-based treatmentBehavioural

    30 minute sessions of free viewing of faces and listening to music

Study groups in NCT03415022
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
4-week computer-based treatmentExperimentalA 4-week (8-sessions) course of computer-based treatment. Participants will receive treatment twice a week for four weeks.
Receives: Behavioral: computer-based treatment
8-week computer-based treatmentExperimentalAn 8-week (12-sessions) course of computer-based treatment. Participants will receive treatment twice a week for four weeks, and then once a week for the subsequent four weeks.
Receives: Behavioral: computer-based treatment

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Percent Dwell Time on Threat Faces

    Percent dwell time on threat faces was computed as the ratio of gaze dwell time on threat faces to total dwell time on all faces as measured by eye tracking during treatment sessions. Change in percent dwell time is the value at week 8 minus value at baseline.

    Measured: baseline to week 8

  2. Change in Total Score of Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS)

    Clinician-rated scale scoring anxiety (0, none to 3, severe) and avoidance (0,none to 3, severe) in 24 social situations for a total score of 0 to 144. Higher scores indicate greater social anxiety.

    Measured: Baseline to week 8

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Change in Total Score of Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)

    The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) is a self-rated questionnaire 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).

    Measured: baseline to week 8

  2. Change in Total Score of Quality of Life Enjoyment & Satisfaction Questionnaire

    Quality 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.

    Measured: baseline to week 8

  3. Change in Total Score of the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale

    40-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)

    Measured: baseline to week 8

  4. Change in Total Score of the Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale

    Snaith Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS). Fourteen-item self-rated anhedonia scale. Items are comprised of statements that participants rate 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)

    Measured: baseline to week 8

  5. Change in Total Score of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression - 17 Item Version

    Hamilton 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).

    Measured: baseline to week 8

  6. Clinical Global Impression-Change Scale

    Clinical Global Impression-Change Scale: An observer rating of overall clinical change, with rating from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse). Responder category is defined by a score of 1 or 2.

    Measured: week 8

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted30 Jan 2018
  2. Study start30 Jan 2018
  3. Primary completion31 Mar 2020
  4. Study completion31 Mar 2020

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Computer-based task involving free viewing of faces and listening to music
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
41 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT03415022
Sponsor's protocol ID
#7598
Status last verified
Mar 2022
First submitted
22 Jan 2018
Last updated
4 Apr 2022
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data will be shared through the National Database for Clinical Trials related to Mental Illness (NDCT). We will generate a Global Unique Identifier (GUID) for each participant. The key clinical rating scale measures (LSAS, SPIN, QLESQ, HRSD) are all included.

Publications

  • Chevallier C, Tonge N, Safra L, Kahn D, Kohls G, Miller J, Schultz RT. Measuring Social Motivation Using Signal Detection and Reward Responsiveness. PLoS One. 2016 Dec 1;11(12):e0167024. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167024. eCollection 2016.

    PubMed 27907025
  • Cisler JM, Koster EH. Mechanisms of attentional biases towards threat in anxiety disorders: An integrative review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010 Mar;30(2):203-16. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.11.003. Epub 2009 Dec 14.

    PubMed 20005616
  • Gur RC, Schroeder L, Turner T, McGrath C, Chan RM, Turetsky BI, Alsop D, Maldjian J, Gur RE. Brain activation during facial emotion processing. Neuroimage. 2002 Jul;16(3 Pt 1):651-62. doi: 10.1006/nimg.2002.1097.

    PubMed 12169250
  • Heeren A, Mogoase C, Philippot P, McNally RJ. Attention bias modification for social anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2015 Aug;40:76-90. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2015.06.001. Epub 2015 Jun 6.

    PubMed 26080314
  • Klumpp H, Angstadt M, Phan KL. Shifting the focus of attention modulates amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex reactivity to emotional faces. Neurosci Lett. 2012 Apr 18;514(2):210-3. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.03.003. Epub 2012 Mar 8.

    PubMed 22425719
  • Klumpp H, Post D, Angstadt M, Fitzgerald DA, Phan KL. Anterior cingulate cortex and insula response during indirect and direct processing of emotional faces in generalized social anxiety disorder. Biol Mood Anxiety Disord. 2013 Apr 2;3:7. doi: 10.1186/2045-5380-3-7. eCollection 2013.

    PubMed 23547713
  • Lazarov A, Abend R, Bar-Haim Y. Social anxiety is related to increased dwell time on socially threatening faces. J Affect Disord. 2016 Mar 15;193:282-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.01.007. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

    PubMed 26774515
  • Lazarov A, Pine DS, Bar-Haim Y. Gaze-Contingent Music Reward Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Psychiatry. 2017 Jul 1;174(7):649-656. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16080894. Epub 2017 Jan 20.

    PubMed 28103714
  • Linetzky M, Pergamin-Hight L, Pine DS, Bar-Haim Y. Quantitative evaluation of the clinical efficacy of attention bias modification treatment for anxiety disorders. Depress Anxiety. 2015 Jun;32(6):383-91. doi: 10.1002/da.22344. Epub 2015 Feb 24.

    PubMed 25708991
  • Mogoase C, David D, Koster EH. Clinical efficacy of attentional bias modification procedures: an updated meta-analysis. J Clin Psychol. 2014 Dec;70(12):1133-57. doi: 10.1002/jclp.22081. Epub 2014 Mar 20.

    PubMed 24652823
  • Morrison AS, Heimberg RG. Social anxiety and social anxiety disorder. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2013;9:249-74. doi: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-050212-185631.

    PubMed 23537485
  • Richey JA, Rittenberg A, Hughes L, Damiano CR, Sabatino A, Miller S, Hanna E, Bodfish JW, Dichter GS. Common and distinct neural features of social and non-social reward processing in autism and social anxiety disorder. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2014 Mar;9(3):367-77. doi: 10.1093/scan/nss146. Epub 2012 Dec 7.

    PubMed 23223206
  • Spreckelmeyer KN, Krach S, Kohls G, Rademacher L, Irmak A, Konrad K, Kircher T, Grunder G. Anticipation of monetary and social reward differently activates mesolimbic brain structures in men and women. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2009 Jun;4(2):158-65. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsn051. Epub 2009 Jan 27.

    PubMed 19174537
  • Van Bockstaele B, Verschuere B, Tibboel H, De Houwer J, Crombez G, Koster EH. A review of current evidence for the causal impact of attentional bias on fear and anxiety. Psychol Bull. 2014 May;140(3):682-721. doi: 10.1037/a0034834. Epub 2013 Nov 4.

    PubMed 24188418

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing computer-based treatment in people with Social Anxiety Disorder, run by New York State Psychiatric Institute at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 13 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Apr 2022. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 11 Aug 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Percent Dwell Time on Threat Faces (time frame: baseline to week 8). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03415022, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Apr 2022.

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