Evaluation of a Smartphone Application for Self-help for Social Anxiety

Evaluation of a Smartphone Application for Self-help for Patients With Social Anxiety Disorder: a Randomized Controlled Study

The present study examines whether a self-help app can reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder.

The study will test the effectiveness of a newly developed mobile app in treating patients with social anxiety. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of the following groups: app use only, therapist-guided app use, and a wait-list control group. Over a 12-week period, the study will examine whether mobile app use leads to significant reductions in symptoms associated with social anxiety, as well as improvements in secondary outcomes such as quality of life, depression, or psychological impairment.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Current diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder
• Written informed consent before the start of the study
• Age: 18 to 65 years
• Possession of smartphone
• Familiarity with using smartphone apps

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute suicidality
• Active substance abuse or dependence
• Severe medical conditions (e.g., chronic cardiovascular disease)
• Severe depression
• Psychotic disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Current psychotherapeutic treatment
• Current psychopharmacological treatment
• No proficient skills in the German language