Treatment of Social Phobia Over the Internet

Summary

Forty-eight people diagnosed with social phobia in an experimental study that randomized into two treatment groups: 1) Internet-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT) (n = 24) or 2) computerized attention training (n = 24). After nine weeks we change the condition of the two groups of research participants, which should therefore be given both treatments. Pre-and post measurement of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will take place in the first round of treatment. Genotyping based on saliva samples takes place before the start of treatment, at the first fMRI measurement, for those who voluntarily leave the sample.

Study hypothesis

How is the brain activity of emotional processing and anxiety affected after completing an Internet-based CBT compared with computerized attention training? Does the treatment response of an Internet based treatment affects by variations in serotonin-transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) and tryptophan hydroxylase-3 (TPH3) genes?

How is the genetic variations related to symptoms in social phobia (pre treatment)?

Conditions

• Social Phobia

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT)

The Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) consists of our structured self-help program lasting a total of nine active treatment weeks. This treatment program has been well evaluated and involved in several research projects.

BEHAVIORAL

Internet-based computerized attention training

The Internet-based computerized attention training program lasting a total of four active treatment weeks. The treatment is consist of two training sessions per week, about 10 minutes long.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Uppsala University

  collaborator OTHER

• Umeå University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Per Carlbring, Professor · Umeå University

• Gerhard Andersson, Professor · Linkoeping University

• Tomas Furmark, Ass. professor · Uppsala University

• Carl-Johan Olsson, Post doc · Umeå center for Functional Brain Imaging

• Owe Bodlund, Ass. professor · NUS

• Kristoffer NT Månsson, Student · Umeå University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-08-31

Primary Completion

2016-02-29

Completion

2016-02-29

Countries

• Sweden

Study Locations