Abstract

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 < 0.001; dCohen 2.41).

The treatment was also superior to waitlist on all secondary outcome measures. 86% of the iCT-SAD group demonstrated remission from SAD based on the LSAS, compared to 5% of the waitlist group. 73% no longer met diagnostic criteria at posttreatment, compared to 9% of the waitlist group.

The gains made by the iCT-SAD group were maintained at three-month follow-up.

Conclusions

iCT-SAD showed strong efficacy for the treatment of SAD in Hong Kong.

As the clinical outcomes were similar to UK studies, this suggests the dissemination of the treatment into a different cultural setting did not result in a substantial loss of efficacy.

Citations

Graham R. Thew, Amy P.L. Kwok, Mandy H. Lissillour Chan, Candice L.Y.M. Powell, Jennifer Wild, Patrick W.L. Leung, David M. Clark, Internet-delivered cognitive therapy for social anxiety disorder in Hong Kong: A randomized controlled trial, Internet Interventions Volume 28, 2022, 100539,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2022.100539

URI: https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/orka/title/internet-delivered-cognitive-therapy-for-social-anxiety-disorder-in-hong-kong-a-randomized-controlled-trial/