Comparing systemic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorders: study protocol for a...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychotherapy research

Background:

• Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent condition with established treatment options.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-demonstrated treatment for social anxiety.
• Systemic therapy (ST) has limited evidence for anxiety disorders, with prior studies lacking robust comparisons or specific focus.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot test a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing multi-person ST with CBT for social anxiety disorder.
• To investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of ST for social anxiety.
• To gather data for sample size calculation in a future confirmatory RCT.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, open-label, pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 32 patients with social anxiety disorder.
• Participants were randomized to manualized CBT or manualized multi-person ST.
• Primary outcome: social anxiety symptoms at therapy endpoint (max 26 hours); Secondary outcomes: psychological, social, and interpersonal functioning, symptom adjustment, caregiver burden, and adherence.

Main Results:

• This section is not available in the provided abstract.

Conclusions:

• This pilot RCT is the first to directly compare CBT and multi-person ST for social anxiety disorder.
• The study will provide empirical data to inform the design of a larger, confirmatory RCT.
• Findings will contribute to understanding the potential of ST as a treatment for social anxiety.