Efficacy of an Attention Guidance VR Intervention for Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety DisorderSocial anxiety disorder (SAD) is a prevalent mental health concern that impacts approximately 12% of the population. One mechanism thought to maintain SAD is avoidance of faces (i.e. avoidance of negative evaluative threat). However, research on attentional processes in SAD has been confined to paradigms presented on computer monitors. To investigate attentional processes in a more naturalistic way the investigators developed an immersive, 360º-video virtual reality environment using real actors, as part of a pilot study. Participants with a range of social anxiety symptoms (from none to severe) completed a 5-minute speech in this virtual reality environment while their eye movements were recorded. Results from the study showed that greater symptoms of social anxiety were associated with avoidance of looking at faces (i.e. fewer fixations on faces). While existing treatments for SAD are moderately effective, a large number of individuals do not experience meaningful reductions in their symptoms. The overarching goal of this project is inform future treatment research for SAD. The investigators will test a brief attention guidance intervention for SAD that specifically targets avoidance of faces as a potential mechanism maintaining the disorder. The proposed research will use the eye tracking hardware and naturalistic virtual reality environment from the pilot study. The investigators will also collect eye tracking data prior to the intervention in order to investigate potential heterogeneity in the attentional processes of SAD. The investigators will test the hypotheses that (a) the attention guidance intervention, compared to the control intervention, will result in a greater reduction in symptoms of social anxiety, and (b) this effect will be mediated by the number of fixations on faces during a brief public speaking challenge following the intervention. These results will provide causal evidence related to a hypothesized mechanism maintaining SAD.
A Study of the Efficacy of Botox in the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
Anxiety Disorder SocialAnxietyThe goal of this study is to see whether Botox is an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD). Participants will complete two short surveys on depression and anxiety symptoms, receive a one-time injection of Botox, and complete the depression and anxiety survey 4 weeks after injection and again at 8 weeks after injection.
Acoustic Neuromodulation (ANM) for Youth With Anxiety Disorders
Separation Anxiety DisorderGeneralized Anxiety Disorder1 moreThe acoustic neuromodulation trial (ANM-T) is a two-phase, single-site, pilot randomized clinical trial examining the feasibility of completing a larger scale efficacy study of a novel treatment of non-linear modulated acoustic stimuli to reduce anxiety severity in youth with anxiety disorders. The primary objective is to establish the feasibility of a blinded randomized controlled trial of ANM for childhood anxiety disorders.
A Novel Computer-Based Therapy for Social Anxiety
Social Anxiety DisorderThe present study is a double blind trial that seeks to examine the feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and mechanism of a recently developed eye-tracking-based therapy (GC-MRT) in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD)
The Safety, Acceptability and Efficacy of Alena
Social AnxietySocial Anxiety Disorder1 moreThe present study is a randomised controlled trial that seeks to investigate the safety, acceptability and efficacy and safety of the Alena CBT programme as a treatment for social anxiety disorder.
Self-Compassion Enhanced CBT vs. Standard CBT for Social Anxiety (SCE-CBT)
Social Anxiety DisorderThis study evaluates the addition of a self-compassion training in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Half of the participants will receive a self-compassion enhanced group cognitive-behavioral therapy, while the other half will receive standard group cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Gaze Contingent Feedback in Social Anxiety Disorder
PhobiaSocialThe purpose of this study is to determine whether giving gaze-contingent feedback is an effective attention modification procedure, helping in the treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD)
Feasibility Study of PH94B Nasal Spray for Acute Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Social Anxiety DisorderThe purpose of the study is to determine whether the PH94B nasal spray is effective for Acute Treatment of the symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in adult men and women. The hypothesis is that PH94B nasal spray (.8 micrograms) has a rapid onset of efficacy to improve performance and interaction anxiety in patients with diagnosed Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
Improving Access to the Treatment of Anxiety and Depression Among Young Adults
Generalized Anxiety DisorderMajor Depressive Disorder3 moreAnxiety and depression represent the most common mental health problems. Unfortunately, only a minority of people in need will seek or access traditional mental health services. Access to traditional psychological care is even more challenging for linguistic minorities as well as for people living in rural areas and for young adults - a group that has the highest rate of anxiety and depression but the lowest rate of consulting traditional services.Telepsychotherapy can facilitate access to effective psychological care as done in Australia where the government has been offering an evidence-based 8-week online therapy program called the Wellbeing Course. This online course helps people manage worry, stress, anxiety and depression. It has been evaluated in several clinical trials and successfully implemented as an Australian national treatment service. Its transdiagnostic nature, and the fact that the guidance of a clinician is not required for an efficient and safe administration and maintenance of therapeutic gains make it not only a viable option, but also an easily accessible fist line intervention. More recently, findings from a feasibility study conducted by our research laboratory have supported the efficacy of a French-Canadian translation among French-speaking minorities in New-Brunswick. A version of the Wellbeing Course for young adults has been developed called the Mood Mechanic Course. Empirical support has been obtained. This study is a feasibility open trial, the first phase of a 3-phase research program designed to implement a French-Canadian translation of the Mood Mechanic Course in New Brunswick targeting groups for which access to traditional services has been most problematic: youth (18 to 25 years old), people living in rural areas and linguistic minorities. The course is an 8-week week program based on principles of cognitive behaviour therapy. It includes five online lessons, do-it-yourself exercises, case stories, and additional resources on different topic such as sleep hygiene. Twenty young adults will be recruited across New Brunswick among French-Canadian minority communities. Self-report measures assessing anxiety and depression will be administered pre/post treatment and at a 3-month follow-up. It is expected that the course will help overcome barriers in help seeking to improve the mental health of our communities.
A Pilot Study of Loving-Kindness Meditation for Social Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety DisorderCompassionThe purpose of this study is to develop and test a mindfulness and loving-kindness based intervention, Positive Affect Training (PAT), to enhance positive affect such as compassion, love, and gratitude and reduce symptoms of social anxiety disorder (SAD). PAT involves a combination of practicing mindfulness meditation and loving kindness meditation in groups. Although PAT has been shown to be effective for dysthymic disorder, one area that remains unclear is whether the PAT protocol for SAD can address the social anxiety symptoms in Japanese adults with SAD. The goal of the research is to test the initial feasibility and efficacy in increasing positive affect and decreasing negative affect in individuals recruited from the general community who are social anxious. If PAT is also effective for Japanese SAD patients, it could be more cost-effective and noninvasive option to address social anxiety disorder.