Evaluation of an online cognitive-behavioural treatment programme for social anxiety for higher education students: the Participate programme.

ISRCTN ISRCTN12505737
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN12505737
Secondary identifying numbers Participate_v2_supported_vs_unsupported
Submission date
24/11/2015
Registration date
03/12/2015
Last edited
03/12/2015
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and Study Aims
Social anxiety describes a condition where someone is fearful of social situations. It is one of the most common types of psychological difficulty that people can face. The problem affects a significant number of higher-education students and it can cause them to struggle to progress academically or to succeed in a career. Social anxiety may also lead to isolation, depression and substance misuse. Research suggests that one-to-one cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) with a trained practitioner is the best treatment for social anxiety. However, there are not enough CBT therapists to treat the large numbers of students having difficulties, and, in any case, it is too expensive to do so. The aim of this study then is to test an online programme based on cognitive-behavioural therapy. The effect of the programme is measured by assessing the severity of social anxiety experienced by the participants before and after the treatment.

Who can participate?
Adult higher-education students suffering from social anxiety.

What does the study involve?
All students in participating higher-education institutions are sent an email with a link to a website where they can register to look at an introductory module that explains the CBT model of social anxiety, what the programme involves and how to apply. The application process involves consenting to take part in the research and completing questionnaires to assess social anxiety and depression. Applicants who meet the criteria for the research are then allocated randomly to one of three groups. One group can start the programme immediately, and have a personal supporter (a trained psychology graduate), who contacts the student every week with feedback on their progress. A second group undertake the online programme without a personal supporter, and a third group are allocated to the supported version of the programme, but have to wait for 3 months before they can begin.The online CBT programme, called Participate, consists of 5 essential and 1 optional module. Modules consist of text, videos, exercises and logs in which to record work. The modules help the participants to learn about the thoughts and behaviours that maintain social anxiety, and how to change those thoughts and behaviours, so as to build confidence and overcome the condition. At the end of an 8-week period social anxiety and depression are assessed again for participants in each of the 3 groups.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits of participating include a better understanding of social anxiety, a reduction in anxiety about social situations and increased participation in social and work-related activities. Potential risks of participating are insignificant, however some temporary increases in anxious feelings, while thinking about or engaging in social activities, may be experienced.

Where is the study run from?
1. School of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Galway (Ireland)
2. Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street, Dublin (Ireland)
3. University of West Scotland, Hamilton (Scotland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2014 to September 2016

Who is funding the study?
National University of Ireland, Galway

Who is the main contact?
Éamonn Ó Dochartaigh

Study website

Contact information

Mr Éamonn Ó Dochartaigh
Public

Student Counselling Service
NUI Galway
5, Distillery Road
Galway
H91 PK33
Ireland

Phone +353 91 492484
Email eamonn.odochartaigh@nuigalway.ie

Study information

Study designMulti-centre, interventional randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Internet/virtual
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleA randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of the Participate online cognitive-behavioural treatment programme for social anxiety for higher education students whose social anxiety scores exceed cut-off points on the SIAS-6/SPS-6 social anxiety scales, comparing changes in social anxiety score at programme end and 3-month follow-up for participants with weekly online support; those without weekly online support; and those on a waiting-list.
Study acronymParticipate
Study objectivesAre the supported and the unsupported versions of the Participate programme effective for the treatment of social anxiety as measured by the short form of the combined Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6) and the Social Phobia Scale (SPS-6), in comparison with a wait-list control.
Ethics approval(s)Research Ethics Committee of the National University of Ireland, University Road, Galway, Ireland, 11/08/2014 (ref: 14/JUNE/06) and 14/08/2015 (ref: 15/JUL/12).
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedSocial anxiety.
InterventionThere are 3 arms to the trial:
1. Group 1 will undertake an online cognitive-behavioural programme for social anxiety with weekly support via email
2. Group 2 will undertake the same programme but without weekly support
3. Group 3 will be tested before and after the programme period without treatment, since they are on a waiting-list for the programme
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measurePrimary outcome measures are to assess the severity of social anxiety. They consist of:
1. The 6-question short form of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6)
2. The 6-question short form of the Social Phobia Scale (SPS-6)

They are measured at completion of an introductory module; after 8 weeks (at programme end); and 3 months later in a follow-up.
Secondary outcome measures1. Social anxiety, consisting of the short form of the Social Phobia Inventory (miniSPIN), and administered at weekly intervals during the 8-week programme
2. Severity of depression and suicidal ideation, consisting of the 9-question form of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and administered at the end of an introductory module; after 8 weeks (at programme end); and 3 months later in a follow-up
3. Self-reported social, academic and occupational functioning, consisting of some purpose-designed questions, which are administered at weekly intervals during the 8-week programme, at programme end, and 3 months later in a follow-up
Overall study start date01/06/2014
Completion date01/09/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Other
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants200
Key inclusion criteria1. Participants must be registered students of the relevant higher-education institution
2. Participants must have a score 6 or more on the SIAS-6 questionnaire or 3 or more on the SPS-6 psychometric scales
Key exclusion criteriaParticipants must not:
1. be acutely suicidal
2. begin or change a dose of psychoactive medication in the period from 1 month preceding the programme until its end
3. be receiving psychotherapeutic treatment in the period from 1 month preceding the programme until its end
4. have a history of bipolar depression
5. have previously received cognitive-behavioural therapy
Date of first enrolment01/09/2014
Date of final enrolment01/03/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Ireland
  • Scotland
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centres

National University of Ireland, Galway
University Road
Galway
-
Ireland
Dublin Institute of Technology
Aungier St
Dublin 2
-
Ireland
University of West Scotland
Almada Street
Hamilton
South Lanarkshire
Hamilton
ML3 0JB
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

National University of Ireland, Galway
University/education

University Road
Galway
H91 PK33
Ireland

Phone +353 91 524411
Email vpresearch@nuigalway.ie
Website http://www.nuigalway.ie
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03bea9k73

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Student Project Fund, National University of Ireland, Galway

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date30/01/2016
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planThe intention is to submit for publication:
1. A study protocol, in January 2016
2. A systematic review of online and individual face-to-face CBT for social anxiety, in December 2016
3. A paper outlining the main study results, in December 2016
IPD sharing plan