Journal
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
Volume 43, Issue 10, Pages 920-926Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/00048670903179228
Keywords
computerized cognitive behavioural therapy; Internet; randomized controlled trial; self-guided; social phobia; treatment
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Objective: The present study ( Shyness 6) compares the benefits and acceptability of two types of guidance on severity of symptoms during Internet treatment for social phobia. Methods: Non-inferiority randomized controlled trial of Internet treatment, supplemented with weekly telephone calls from a technician ( computerized cognitive-behavioural treatment (CCBT + Tel), or regular access to a clinician-moderated online discussion forum ( CCBT + Forum), was carried out. An intention-to-treat model was used for data analyses. The participants consisted of 82 volunteers with social phobia. The intervention consisted of six lessons of CCBT for social phobia ( the Shyness programme) with complex automated reminders. The main outcome measures were the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale and Social Phobia Scale. Results: A total of 79% of CCBT + Tel and 79% of CCBT + Forum group participants completed all six lessons. Large mean within-groups effect sizes (Cohen's d) for the two social phobia measures were found for the CCBT + Tel and CCBT + Forum groups (1.31 and 1.54, respectively). Each participant in the CCBT + Tel group received a mean total of 38 min of technician time over the 8 week programme, while participants in the CCBT + Forum group received a mean total of 37 min of clinician time. Quantitative and qualitative data indicate that both the CCBT + Tel and CCBT + Forum procedures were equally and highly acceptable to participants. Conclusions: The Shyness programme with either telephone support or access to a clinician-moderated online forum resulted in good clinical outcomes with equivalent patient acceptability. These results confirm that people with social phobia may significantly benefit from a highly structured education programme administered by clinical or non-clinical staff.
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