Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Specific versus generic psychological therapy for children and young people with social anxiety disorder
IRAS ID
208760
Contact name
Cathy Creswell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Reading
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the most common anxiety disorder and third most common of all mental health disorders. SAD typically starts in adolescence, often carrying on into adulthood and creating a risk for other mental health problems, such as depression and substance abuse, as well as impacting on educational and occupational prospects. Currently, adolescents with SAD typically receive a general form of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, such as 'The C.A.T. Project'. Cognitive Therapy for SAD (CT-SAD) is a particular form of CBT that has been developed to focus on disorder-specific mechanisms and has been highly effective for adults with SAD. Recent evidence has shown that the components covered in CT for adults with SAD might also be relevant for adolescents and CT-SAD has now been adapted for adolescents (CT-SAD-A). Members of our team have begun to adapt this treatment for adolescents with encouraging results, however we do not know how this treatment compares to the form of CBT that is currently most typically used. This study will first train current NHS CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) clinicians to deliver the novel treatment (CT-SAD-A), assess their competence in delivering CT-SAD-A and examine patient outcomes. The second phase will investigate the feasibility of a full randomised controlled trial (RCT) to compare CT-SAD-A to The C.A.T. Project among young people aged 11-17.5 years old for whom SAD is their primary presenting problem. After their initial assessment, participants will be required to attend up to 14 weekly treatment sessions, a post-treatment assessment, two monthly treatment booster sessions and a follow-up assessment session three months after the end of the initial 14 treatment sessions. Patient outcomes, expectations and experiences, as well as health economic factors will be assessed.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0315
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion