Smartphone-Based Treatments for Social Anxiety With Artificial Intelligence Support: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Pilot Study Comparing Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Waitlist (STePS-Ai)
Smartphone-Based Treatments for Social Anxiety With Artificial Intelligence Support: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Pilot Study Comparing Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Waitlist (STePS-Ai)
This pilot study compares two 4-week, smartphone-based treatments for social anxiety: one uses a psychodynamic therapy approach and the other uses a cognitive behavioral therapy approach. Both treatments are guided by an AI assistant rather than a human therapist. The AI assistant is programmed to support participants in reflecting on core therapeutic principles, much like a well-informed coach would.
Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: psychodynamic therapy with AI support, cognitive behavioral therapy with AI support, or a waitlist control. Those in the waitlist group can receive an active treatment after the 4-week waiting period. All participants complete weekly online questionnaires to monitor anxiety and any changes in mood or well-being.
This study builds upon earlier findings from the STePS project by investigating the feasibility and effectiveness of two brief, smartphone-delivered treatments for social anxiety, delivered entirely through an AI-guided platform. The study is a randomized, controlled pilot trial with three arms. Two intervention groups receive a 4-week treatment via smartphone: one group receives a psychodynamic therapy approach and the other receives a cognitive behavioral therapy approach. In both treatments, the AI assistant prompts reflection and engagement with the therapeutic material instead of a traditional therapist. The third group serves as a waitlist control, with participants given the option to choose one of the active treatments after the study period.