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Acceptance based behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder through videoconferencing.
Erica K Yuen1, James D Herbert, Evan M Forman
1University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, USA.
Journal of Anxiety Disorders
|June 15, 2013
Summary
Videoconferencing therapy effectively treats social anxiety disorder (SAD) by overcoming barriers to care. This pilot study shows significant improvements in social anxiety and related symptoms using Skype-based treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Telemedicine
- Behavioral Therapy
Background:
- Social anxiety disorder (SAD) affects many individuals, yet most do not receive treatment due to logistical and stigma-related barriers.
- Videoconferencing offers a promising solution for delivering evidence-based treatments to underserved populations.
- Acceptance-based behavioral interventions are effective for SAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of an acceptance-based behavioral intervention delivered via Skype for adults with generalized SAD.
- To evaluate the potential of telemedicine to increase access to mental health services for SAD patients.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 24 adults with generalized SAD receiving 12 weekly sessions of acceptance-based behavioral therapy via Skype.
- Assessments conducted at pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up.
- Feasibility and acceptability rated by participants and therapists; efficacy measured by changes in social anxiety, depression, disability, quality of life, and experiential avoidance.
Main Results:
- The Skype-delivered intervention was rated as feasible and acceptable by both participants and therapists.
- Significant improvements were observed from pre-treatment to follow-up in social anxiety, depression, disability, quality of life, and experiential avoidance.
- Effect sizes for improvements were comparable to or larger than those reported for in-person cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for SAD.
Conclusions:
- Videoconferencing-based acceptance-based behavioral therapy is a feasible, acceptable, and effective treatment for adults with generalized SAD.
- Telemedicine interventions hold significant potential for expanding access to evidence-based mental health care for individuals with social anxiety.
- Future research should explore larger trials to further validate these findings and optimize delivery methods.
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