Internet-delivered cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder in Hong Kong: A randomized controlled trial.
Thew GR., Kwok APL., Lissillour Chan MH., Powell CLYM., Wild J., Leung PWL., Clark DM.
Background: Research is needed to determine the extent to which internet-delivered psychological therapies are effective when delivered in countries and cultures outside of where they were developed. Objective: This waitlist-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of a UK-developed, therapist-guided internet Cognitive Therapy programme for Social Anxiety Disorder (iCT-SAD) when delivered in Hong Kong by local therapists. Methods: Patients were randomized to iCT-SAD (n = 22) or a waitlist control group (n = 22). Assessments took place at weeks 0, 8, and 15 (posttreatment/postwait), with a further 3-month follow-up assessment for the iCT-SAD group. The primary outcome measure was the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (self-report), and posttreatment/postwait diagnostic assessments were completed by independent assessors blind to condition. Trial Registration: ISRCTN11357117. Results: Compared with the waitlist group, iCT-SAD significantly reduced social anxiety symptoms (adjusted difference at posttreatment 55.36, 95%CI 44.32 to 66.39, p