Ahmed, M., Westra, H. A. (2009). Impact of a treatment rationale on expectancy and engagement in cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety. Cognitive Therapy and Research , 33(3), 314-322.

Correspondence Address:
Mariyam Ahmed, Department of Psychology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Behavioral Sciences Building, Toronto, ON, Canada, M3J 1P3. ahmedmar@yorku.ca.

Abstract
Although presentation of a treatment rationale is posited to enhance expectations for change, this contention has not been directly evaluated. In this analogue study, the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) rationale for social anxiety was presented via videotape by an experienced CBT therapist, to 77 undergraduate students with high fear of negative evaluation. Results indicated significant increases in self-efficacy for anxiety change, confidence in conducting interpersonal exposures, and perceived helpfulness of exposure, pre- to post-rationale presentation. A positive response to the treatment rationale was related to increased frequency of interpersonal exposure at one-month follow-up. Furthermore, individual differences in self-efficacy for anxiety change at baseline moderated the impact of rationale response on exposure frequency. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).

Anderson, P. L., Zimand, E., Hodges, L. F., & Rothbaurn, B. O. (2005). Cognitive behavioral therapy for public-speaking anxiety using virtual reality for exposure. Depression and Anxiety, 22, 156-158.

Correspondence Address:
Page L. Anderson, Department of Psychology, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5010, Atlanta, GA, US, 30302-5010, panderson@gsu.edu.

Abstract
This study used an open clinical trial to test a cognitive-behavioral treatment for public-speaking anxiety that utilized virtual reality as a tool for exposure therapy. Treatment was completed by participants (n = 10) meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV criteria for social phobia, or panic disorder with agoraphobia in which public speaking was the predominantly feared stimulus. Treatment was conducted by a licensed psychologist in an outpatient clinic. Treatment consisted of eight individual therapy sessions, including four sessions of anxiety management training and four sessions of exposure therapy using a virtual audience, according to a standardized treatment manual. Participants completed standardized self-report questionnaires assessing public-speaking anxiety at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Participants were asked to give a speech to an actual audience at pre- and post-treatment. Results showed decreases on all self-report measures of public-speaking anxiety from pre- to post-treatment, which were maintained at follow-up (n = 8; all P = 05). Participants were no more likely to complete a speech post-treatment than at pre-treatment. This study provides preliminary evidence that a cognitive-behavioral treatment using virtual reality for exposure to public speaking may reduce public-speaking anxiety and suggests that further research with a controlled design is needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Beidel, D. C., Turner, S. M., & Young, B. J. (2006). Social Effectiveness Therapy for children: Five years later. Behavior Therapy, 37, 416-425.

Correspondence Address:
Deborah Beidel, Department of Psychiatry, Penn State College of Medicine, H073, 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, US, 17033, dbeidel@hmc.psu.edu.

Abstract
Social Effectiveness Therapy for Children (SET-C) is a comprehensive behavioral treatment combining social skills training, peer generalization experiences, and individualized in vivo exposure for the treatment of social phobia in youth. SET-C results in positive treatment outcome and its effects are maintained at least 3 years later. In this investigation, maintenance of treatment gains 3, 4, and 5 years later was examined using a multidimensional assessment strategy consisting of self-report, parental report, clinician ratings, and direct behavioral assessment. Furthermore, the overall functioning of adolescents treated with SET-C 5 years earlier was compared with that of a group of adolescents who never suffered from psychological disorders. All post-treatment gains were maintained 5 years later, and the general functioning of SET-C treatment responders was not significantly different from those who never had a disorder. The data indicate that SET-C results in long-term positive effects for youth suffering from social phobia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved)

Bogels, S. M. (2006). Task concentration training versus applied relaxation, in combination with cognitive therapy, for social phobia patients with fear of blushing, trembling, and sweating. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 44, 1199-1210.

Correspondence Address:
Susan M. Bogels, Department of Medical, Clinical and Experimental Psychology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, Netherlands, 6200 MD, bogels@dep.unimaas.nl.

Abstract
Social phobia patients with fear of blushing, trembling, sweating and/ or freezing as main complaint (N = 65) were randomly assigned to either task concentration training (TCT) or applied relaxation (AR) both followed by cognitive therapy (CT). Measurements took place before and after wait-list, after TCT or AR (within-test), after CT (post-test), at 3- months and at 1-year follow-up. Effects were assessed on fear of showing bodily symptoms (the central outcome variable), social phobia, other psychopathology, social skills, self-consciousness, self-focused attention, and dysfunctional beliefs. No changes occurred during wait-list. Both treatments were highly effective. TCT was superior to AR in reducing fear of bodily symptoms and dysfunctional beliefs at within-test. This difference disappeared after CT, at post-test and at 3-months follow-up. However, at 1-year follow-up the combination TCT-CT was superior to AR-CT in reducing fear of bodily symptoms, and effect sizes for TCT-CT reached 3. Furthermore, at all assessment moments TCT or the combination TCT-CT was superior to AR-CT in reducing self-consciousness and self-focused attention. The superior long-term effect of TCT on fear of showing bodily symptoms is explained by lasting changes in attentional focus. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Clark, D. M., Ehlers, A., Hackmann, A., McManus, F., Fennell, M., Grey, N., Waddington, L., & Wild, J. (2006). Cognitive therapy versus exposure and applied relaxation in social phobia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 568-578.

Correspondence Address:
David M. Clark, Department of Psychology (PO 77), Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom, SE5 8AF, d.clark@iop.kcl.ac.uk.

Abstract
A new cognitive therapy (CT) program was compared with an established behavioral treatment. Sixty-two patients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) criteria for social phobia were randomly assigned to CT, exposure plus applied relaxation (EXP = AR), or wait-list (WAIT). CT and EXP = AR were superior to WAIT on all measures. On measures of social phobia, CT led to greater improvement than did EXP = AR. Percentages of patients who no longer met diagnostic criteria for social phobia at posttreatment-wait were as follows: 84% in CT, 42% in EXP = AR, and 0% in WAIT. At the 1-year follow-up, differences in outcome persisted. In addition, patients in EXP = AR were more likely to have sought additional treatment. Therapist effects were small and nonsignificant. CT appears to be superior to EXP = AR in the treatment of social phobia. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)

Davidson, J. R. T., Foa, E. B., Huppert, J. D., Keefe, F. J., Franklin, M. E., Compton, J. S., Zhao, N., Connor, K. M. Lynch, T. R., & Gadde, K. M. (2004). Fluoxetine, comprehensive cognitive behavioral therapy, and placebo in generalized social phobia. Archives of General Psychiatry, 61, 1005-1013.

Correspondence Address:
Jonathan R. T. Davidson - jonathan.davidson@duke.edu

Abstract (from the journal abstract)
Background: Generalized social phobia is common, persistent, and disabling and is often treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drugs or cognitive behavioral therapy. Objective: We compared fluoxetine (FLU), comprehensive cognitive behavioral group therapy (CCBT), placebo (PBO), and the combinations of CCBT/FLU and CCBT/PBO. Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING: Two academic outpatient psychiatric centers. Patients: Subjects meeting a primary diagnosis of generalized social phobia were recruited via advertisement. Seven hundred twenty-two were screened, and 295 were randomized and available for inclusion in an intention-to-treat efficacy analysis; 156 (52.9%) were male, 226 (76.3%) were white, and mean age was 37.1 years. Interventions: Treatment lasted for 14 weeks. Fluoxetine and PBO were administered at doses from 10 mg/d to 60 mg/d (or equivalent). Group comprehensive cognitive behavioral therapy was administered weekly for 14 sessions. Main Outcome Measures: An independent blinded evaluator assessed response with the Brief Social Phobia Scale and Clinical Global Impressions scales as primary outcomes. A videotaped behavioral assessment served as a secondary outcome, using the Subjective Units of Distress Scale. Adverse effects were measured by self-rating. Each treatment was compared by means of chi2 tests and piecewise linear mixed-effects models. Results: Clinical Global Impressions scales response rates in the intention-to-treat sample were 29 (50.9%) (FLU), 31 (51.7%) (CCBT), 32 (54.2%) (CCBT/FLU), 30 (50.8%) (CCBT/PBO), and 19 (31.7%) (PBO), with all treatments being significantly better than PBO. On the Brief Social Phobia Scale, all active treatments were superior to PBO. In the linear mixed-effects models analysis, FLU was more effective than CCBT/FLU, CCBT/PBO, and PBO at week 4; CCBT was also more effective than CCBT/FLU and CCBT/PBO. By the final visit, all active treatments were superior to PBO but did not differ from each other. Site effects were found for the Subjective Units of Distress Scale assessment, with FLU and CCBT/FLU superior to PBO at Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC. Treatments were well tolerated. Conclusions: All active treatments were superior to PBO on primary outcomes. Combined treatment did not yield any further advantage. Notwithstanding the benefits of treatment, many patients remained symptomatic after 14 weeks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved)

Mortberg, E., Clark, D. M., Sundin, O., & Wistedt, A. A. (2007). Intensive group cognitive treatment and individual cognitive therapy vs. treatment as usual in social phobia: A randomized controlled trial. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 115, 142-154.

Correspondence Address:
Ewa Mortberg, Unit for Psychotherapy in City (Psykoterapienheten City), Karlavagen 53, Stockholm, Sweden, SE-114 49, ewa.j.mortberg@telia.com.

Abstract
Objective: To compare the effects of an intensive group cognitive treatment (IGCT) to individual cognitive therapy (ICT) and treatment as usual (TAU) in social phobia (DSM-IV). Method: Hundred patients were randomized to: IGCT involving 16 group sessions spread over three weeks; ICT involving 16 shorter weekly sessions in 4 months and; TAU involving an indicated selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) with therapy sessions as required for 1 year. The main outcome measure was a Social Phobia Composite that combined several standardized self-report measures. Diagnostic assessment was repeated at 1-year follow-up. Results: Significant improvements were observed with all treatments. ICT was superior to IGCT and TAU, which did not differ in overall effectiveness. Conclusion: The study confirms and extends previously reported findings that ICT is more effective than group cognitive treatment and treatment with SSRIs. IGCT lasts only 3 weeks, and is as effective as more protracted TAU. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved)

Stangier, U., Heidenreich, T., Peitz, M., Lauterbach, W., & Clark, D. M. (2003). Cognitive therapy for social phobia: Individual versus group treatment. Behaviour Research & Therapy, 41, 991-1007.

Correspondence Address:
U. Stangier, Department of Psychology, University of Frankfurt/Main, Georg-Voigt-Strasse 8, Postfach 111932, Fach 120, Frankfurt US 60054, Deutschland, .

Abstract
Cognitive-behavioural group treatment is the treatment of choice for social phobia. However, as not all patients benefit, an additional empirically validated psychological treatment would be of value. In addition, few studies have examined whether a group treatment format is more effective than an individual treatment format. A randomized controlled trial addressed these issues by comparing individual cognitive therapy, along the lines advocated by Clark and Wells (Clark, D.M. and Wells, A., 1995. A cognitive model of social phobia. In: R. G. Heimberg, M. Liebowitz, D. Hope and F. Schneier (Eds.), Social Phobia: Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment (pp. 69-93). New York: Guilford.), with a group version of the treatment and a wait-list control condition. 71 patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for social phobia participated in the trial, 65 completed the posttreatment assessment and 59 completed a six-month follow-up. Social phobia measures indicated significant pretreatment to posttreatment improvement in both individual and group cognitive therapy. Individual cognitive therapy was superior to group cognitive therapy on several measures at both posttreatment and follow-up. The effects of treatment on general measures of mood and psychopathology were less substantial(PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2003 APA, all rights reserved)