RecruitingInterventional

Clinical trial of digitally enabled cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder in NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services

This study is testing a new way to help people with social anxiety disorder in NHS Talking Therapies. Social anxiety can make everyday situations very difficult, and many people struggle to get the help they need. This new approach involves an online treatment programme that you can access from home, with support from an NHS therapist online or over the phone. We want to see if this internet-based therapy works as well as, or better than, the usual face-to-face treatments currently offered by the NHS. The study will also look at how much time therapists need, how much it costs, and how satisfied people are with the online option. This will help the NHS decide how best to offer support for social anxiety in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Oxford

Enrolment target

240

Start

24 Nov 2025

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2027

Social anxiety disorder

What is this study about?

Imagine feeling very anxious in social situations, so much so that it stops you from doing everyday things. This is called social anxiety disorder, and it's a common problem that can affect people for many years. There's a type of talking therapy called Cognitive Therapy that's known to be very helpful for this, but sometimes it's hard to get because there aren't enough therapists, or people can't attend appointments during working hours.

To help more people, experts have created an online version of this successful therapy. Instead of going to a clinic for long weekly sessions, you can learn how to manage your social anxiety through an engaging online programme from home, whenever suits you. You'll still have support from a therapist, but your sessions with them will be shorter and usually done by video or phone, as you'll have already learned a lot from the online materials. Early results suggest this online therapy is working well, and many people find it helpful.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) wants to make sure the NHS spends its money wisely and offers the best care. So, they want to clearly compare this internet-based therapy with the traditional face-to-face treatments currently offered by NHS Talking Therapies. This study will involve people receiving help for social anxiety from six NHS Talking Therapies services. Participants will be randomly chosen to receive either the new online therapy or the usual NHS treatment. Researchers will then compare how many people get better, how their symptoms and quality of life change, how much therapist time is needed, and how satisfied people are with their treatment. This will help the NHS understand if the online program is a good option to offer widely.

Key takeaways

This study compares a new online social anxiety therapy with standard NHS therapy.
You'll get an effective social anxiety treatment from a trained NHS therapist.
Participation involves online or in-person therapy and completing questionnaires over time.
You might get the online therapy or the usual NHS treatment, chosen by chance.
The study helps NICE decide the best ways for the NHS to offer social anxiety treatment.
You need internet access and a device to participate in the online treatment.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult (18 years or older) who is getting treatment for social anxiety disorder at one of the participating NHS Talking Therapies services. Your social anxiety needs to be the main reason you're seeking help right now, and you should be keen to work on it in therapy.

You also need to be willing for a computer program to randomly decide whether you get the new online therapy or the usual NHS treatment. It's important that you can read and write in English, and you'll need access to the internet at home (or another private place) with a tablet, laptop, or computer. You'll also need a mobile phone that can receive text messages.

There are a few reasons you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if your social anxiety symptoms are very mild, or if you are at an immediate risk of harming yourself. Also, if you have a serious problem with drug or alcohol dependence, this study might not be the right fit for you.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years or older?
Do you receive treatment for social anxiety disorder at a participating NHS Talking Therapies service?
Is social anxiety your main problem you want to work on right now?
Are you able to read and write in English?
Do you have reliable internet access and a tablet, laptop, or computer at home?
Are you willing for your treatment (online or usual NHS) to be chosen randomly?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will be randomly assigned, like picking names out of a hat, to receive either the new internet-based Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety (iCT-SAD) or the standard talking therapy usually offered by NHS Talking Therapies. Both treatments will be provided by an NHS therapist.

Throughout the study, you'll be asked to complete several questionnaires. These will ask about your symptoms, thoughts, how you cope, and your overall quality of life. You'll fill these out at the very beginning, and then again after about 22 weeks, 44 weeks, and 66 weeks. If your treatment lasts longer than 22 weeks, you'll complete one at the end of your therapy too. You'll also be asked once how much you believe in the treatment you received and how happy you are with it and your therapist. Some participants might also be invited for a short interview to share their experience with the online therapy in more detail. The study is expected to run from March 2024 to December 2028.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part means you will receive a talking therapy for your social anxiety that has been shown to be helpful, delivered by a trained NHS therapist. While we can't guarantee that everyone will benefit, embarking on therapy for social anxiety often involves facing situations you might usually avoid or thinking about your difficulties in new ways. This can sometimes feel uncomfortable or lead to a temporary increase in distress, but it's an important step towards overcoming social anxiety. Each treatment plan will be adjusted to your individual needs. You are free to stop participating in the study at any time.

Locations (4)

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Oxford, United Kingdom
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Approximate
Hatfield, United Kingdom
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
City only
Manchester, United Kingdom
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
City only
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is social anxiety disorder?

It's when you feel very nervous or worried in social situations, which can make it hard to do things like talk to people, go to work, or socialise.

What is internet-based Cognitive Therapy (iCT-SAD)?

It's an online program you can access from home to learn how to manage your social anxiety, with support from an NHS therapist over video or phone.

Will I definitely get the online treatment?

No, you'll be randomly assigned to either the online treatment or the usual face-to-face NHS treatment, like flipping a coin for which treatment you get.

Who is paying for this study?

The study is funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), which is part of the UK government helping to fund health and social care research.

What if I change my mind about taking part?

You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your usual NHS care.

How to find out more

Donna Winston

donna.winston@psy.ox.ac.uk +44 1865281382 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.