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AI-Assisted 4-Week Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Via Smartphone for Social Anxiety: A Randomized Pilot Study (STePS-Ai)

NCT07533812 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 90

Last updated 2026-04-16

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

This pilot study compares two 4-week, smartphone-based treatments for social anxiety: one uses a psychodynamic therapy approach and the other uses a cognitive behavioral therapy approach. Both treatments are guided by an AI assistant rather than a human therapist. The AI assistant is programmed to support participants in reflecting on core therapeutic principles, much like a well-informed coach would.

Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: psychodynamic therapy with AI support, cognitive behavioral therapy with AI support, or a waitlist control. Those in the waitlist group can receive an active treatment after the 4-week waiting period. All participants complete weekly online questionnaires to monitor anxiety and any changes in mood or well-being.

Conditions

  • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Ai chatbot

This intervention uses an AI-enabled chatbot within a smartphone app to deliver psychotherapy modules. The chatbot guides participants through the modules by providing reflective prompts, motivational support and automated reminders to enhance engagement. All communication is encrypted to protect privacy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Stockholm University

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Per Carlbring, PhD · Stockholm University

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-04-21
Primary Completion
2025-06-21
Completion
2026-07-01

Countries

  • Sweden

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT07533812 on ClinicalTrials.gov