Efficacy and Cost-effectiveness of an Internet-based unguided self-help Intervention to treat Social Anxiety Disorder in Students.

Not Applicable

• Conditions: F40.1SOZIALEPHOBIE; F40.1; Social phobias

• Registration Number: DRKS00011424
• Lead Sponsor: Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Lehrstuhl für Klinische Psychologie und Psychothe-rapie

Brief Summary

Objectives: Internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) offer the opportunity to deliver mental health treatments on a large scale. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of an unguided IMI (StudiCare SAD) for university students with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Methods: University students (N = 200) diagnosed with SAD were randomly assigned to an IMI or a waitlist control group (WLC) with full access to treatment as usual. StudiCare SAD consists of nine sessions. The primary outcome was SAD symptoms at posttreatment (10 weeks), assessed via the Social Phobia Scale (SPS) and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS). Secondary outcomes included depression, quality of life, fear of positive evaluation, general psychopathology, and interpersonal problems. Results: Results indicated moderate to large effect sizes in favor of StudiCare SAD compared with WLC for SAD at posttest for the primary outcomes (SPS: d = 0.76; SIAS: d = 0.55, p < 0.001). Effects on all secondary outcomes were significant and in favor of the intervention group. Conclusion: StudiCare SAD has proven effective in reducing SAD symptoms in university students. Providing IMIs may be a promising way to reach university students with SAD at an early stage with an effective treatment.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2016-12-14
• Study Completion: 2018-09-11
• Results First Posted: 2018-12-01
• Last Update Posted: 19 August 2024

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Complete
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 200

Inclusion Criteria

student status

Command of German language,

social anxiety disorder (SPS > 21 or SIAS >32; meet diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV for the social anxiety disorder,

internet access,

informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The primary outcome is measured using the Social Phobia Scale and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SPS & SIAS) at baseline, after the training (10 weeks) and at 6-month follow-up. The diagnostic status of the students (social anxiety disorder yes / no) was evaluated by a structured clinical interview according to DSM- IV (SKID-I).

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
- Depressive symptoms (BDI-II): pre, post (10 weeks), 6-months follow-up <br>- Symptoms of social anxiety (LSAS-SR): pre, post (10 weeks), 6-months follow-up<br>- Symptom severity (BSI): pre, post (10 weeks), 6-months follow-up<br>- Interpersonal problems (IIP-64): pre, post (10 weeks), 6-months follow-up<br>_Quality of life (EuroQol, AQol) pre, post (10 weeks), 6-months follow-up<br>- Client satisfaction (CSQ-8): pre, post (10 weeks), 6-months follow-up<br>- Costeffectiveness (TiC-P): pre, post, 6-months follow-up<br>- Fear of positive evaluation (FPES): pre, post (10 weeks), 6-months follow-up<br>- Disqualification of positive social outcomes scale (DPSOS): pre, post (10 weeks), 6-months follow-up<br><br>