Computer-Based Treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder

This randomized clinical trial examines the feasibility, acceptability, mechanism, and
relative efficacy of two "doses" (standard 4-week/8 session vs. extended 8-week/12-session)
of a recently developed computer-based therapy in individuals with social anxiety disorder
(SAD). The purpose of this study is to assess whether a brief computer-based research
treatment, provided in 30 minutes sessions, helps improve social anxiety symptoms, and by
what mechanism. The study will also assess the effect of research treatments on brain
activity using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Inclusion Criteria:

- Males and females between the ages of 18 and 60

- Current primary diagnosis of SAD

- Score of at least 50 on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (Self-rated version)

- Fluent in English and willing and able to give informed written consent and
participate responsibly in the protocol

- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion Criteria:

- Present or past psychotic episode, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective
disorder, or bipolar disorder

- Current severe depression

- Suicidal ideation or behavior

- Current diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder,
bipolar disorder, manic episode or tic disorder

- Current or past organic mental disorder, seizure disorder, epilepsy or brain injury

- Current unstable or untreated medical illness

- Severe alcohol use disorder, severe cannabis use disorder, and any severity of other
substance use disorder (except nicotine use disorders allowed)

- Use of psychiatric medication in the past month other than a stable dose of selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for a least 3 months

- Any concurrent cognitive behavioral therapy; other psychotherapy that was initiated in
the past 3 months

- Pregnancy, or plans to become pregnant during the period of the study - will be
assessed by urine

- Contraindication to MRI scanning:

- Paramagnetic metallic implants or devices contraindicating magnetic resonance imaging
or any other non-removable paramagnetic metal in the body (e.g. pacemaker,
paramagnetic metallic prosthesis, surgical clips, shrapnel, necessity for constant
medicinal patch, some tattoos)

- Being unable to tolerate the scanning procedures (i.e., severe obesity,
claustrophobia)