title: Update on the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental health problem that tends to be chronic in nature; fortunately, effective pharmacotherapy options exist. The current study provides an updated meta-analytic review of their efficacy and potential guidelines for their application in SAD.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comprehensive search of the current literature yielded 39 randomized, pill placebo-controlled trials of pharmacotherapy for adults diagnosed with SAD. Data on potential moderators of treatment outcome were collected, as well as data necessary to calculate effect sizes using Hedges's g.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall effect size of pharmacotherapy for SAD is small to medium (Hedges's g = 0.39). The most effective pharmacotherapy type was phenelzine (Hedges's g = 1.14), followed by paroxetine (Hedges's g = 0.49), venlafaxine ER (Hedges's g = 0.45) and moclobemide (Hedges's g = 0.23).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effect sizes were not moderated by age, sex, length of treatment, diagnostic subtype initial severity, maximum potential dose, or publication year. It is concluded that pharmacotherapy is effective for treating SAD, but there is considerable variation and room for further improvement. Future directions may include pharmacological enhancement of psychological processes, such as d-cycloserine augmentation of exposure procedures.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas, Department of Psychology and Institute for Mental Health Research , 305 E 23rd St, Stop E9000, Austin, TX 78712 , USA.
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Jasper A J
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smits
authors.forename: Stefan G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Hofmann
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010624:Phenelzine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017374:Paroxetine; D010624:Phenelzine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
keywords: meta-analysis; pharmacotherapy; social anxiety disorder