title: Internet-based self-help with therapist feedback and in vivo group exposure for social phobia: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: Sixty-four individuals with social phobia (social anxiety disorder) were assigned to a multimodal cognitive-behavioral treatment package or to a waiting list control group. Treatment consisted of a 9-week, Internet-delivered, self-help program that was combined with 2 group exposure sessions in real life and minimal therapist contact via e-mail. Results were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis, including all randomized participants. From pre- to posttest, treated participants in contrast to controls showed significant improvement on most measured dimensions (social anxiety scales, general anxiety and depression levels, quality of life). The overall within- and between-groups effect sizes were Cohen's d = 0.87 and 0.70, respectively. Treatment gains were maintained at 1-year follow-up. The results from this study support the continued use and development of Internet-distributed, self-help programs for people diagnosed with social phobia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioural Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden. gerhard.andersson@ibv.liu.se
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carlbring
authors.forename: Annelie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmström
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sparthan
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furmark
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nilsson-Ihrfelt
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buhrman
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ekselius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012657:Self-Help Groups