NCT06767878

Internet Delivered Therapy for Social Anxiety in Adults

Internet Delivered Therapy for Social Anxiety in Adults (PORTiSOFIE): Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 62 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Grupo Lusófona · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an internet-delivered CBT protocol for social anxiety in adults (PORTiSOFIE) is effective in Portugal. It will also learn about the impact that PORTiSOFIE may have on relationship dimensions of these individuals. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does PORTiSOFIE is effective? What impact PORTiSOFIE has in relationship dimensions? Participants will: Be assigned to experimental group and receive intervention briefly after screening is complete; Or control group and only receive intervention after the experimental group finishes.

Detailed description

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a common condition that affects intrapersonal (e.g., distress and impairment) and interpersonal functioning (e.g., difficulties in amorous relationships). People with SAD tend to have difficulties in communicating feelings with partners and report lower levels of relationship and sexual satisfaction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for SAD has been found to redcuce symptoms of social anxiety, but less is known about its impact on relationship functioning. Internet-based CBT (iCBT) has gained attention for its primary advantage bridging distances and saving time for the patient. In the planned study the investigators aim to translate and culturally adapt an iCBT program for social anxiety for use in Portugal (PORTiSOFIE) and measure the effects of the program on social anxiety symptoms. The project will also study the impact on relationship satisfaction and other relevant outcomes. The investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial and divide participants in a two-arm study with parallel groups (i.e., intervention group and wait-list group). Participants will answer questionnaires to assess social anxiety symptoms and relationship outcomes at pre-treatment, posttreatment and 6-month follow up. Participants partner's will also be asked to complete questionnaires on the same periods of time, but only regarding relationship outcomes. iCBT for SAD in adults has not yet been tested in Portugal and overall there is a gap in the literature regarding the role of partners in iCBT for SAD. The study will contribute to increase accessibility to therapy (and better mental health) by promoting online evidence-based therapies. Plus, it will help to better understand how relationship components are affected and affect clinical symptoms and their progression within receiving treatment.

Conditions

• Control Group
• Intervention

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	PORTiSOFIE	This treatment is based on the Clark and Wells model of social phobia, and it is constituted by 9 modules: 1. Introduction of the program and overview of social anxiety disorder and symptoms 2. Negative automatic thoughts 3. Challenging negative automatic thoughts 4. Behavioral experiments 5. Exposure 6. Exposure and self-focus attention 7. Exposure and get closer to fears 8. Social skill training 9. Maintenance plan

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-01-01
• Primary completion: 2026-12-01
• Completion: 2027-06-01
• First posted: 2025-01-10
• Last updated: 2025-01-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Portugal