Go-OSCA Trial: Examining the Efficacy of OSCA for the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents
This study will compare the efficacy and acceptability of internet-delivered therapist-assisted Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for adolescent social anxiety, called OSCA (Online Social anxiety Cognitive therapy for Adolescents) to standard treatment. The standard treatment is another form of CBT, called Graded CBT, typically delivered face-to-face.
Young people aged 11-18 years referred for treatment of social anxiety in an NHS-commissioned service will be offered the chance to take part in the trial where they will be randomly allocated to receive one of these treatments. Participants will have 6 study-related assessments: at baseline, and at 6-, 16-, 26-, 40-, and 66-weeks post randomisation, as well as routine assessments throughout treatment. These will include standard outcome measures used in NHS-treatment, and additional assessments of social anxiety symptoms and processes, functioning, and health econometrics.
Acceptability of OSCA will be assessed through clinician interviews and clinician and family programme usage data. We will examine whether any observed benefits of OSCA are associated with the process measures targeted in the treatment.
Who is eligible for the trial?
To take part in this study, individuals must have a primary diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) as defined by the DSM-5, confirmed through clinical assessment. SAD should be the main source of difficulty and the condition for which the person is seeking treatment. Participants must be willing to be randomly assigned to one of the treatment conditions, and if they are taking psychotropic medication, their dosage must have been stable for at least eight weeks with an agreement to maintain that stability throughout the study. They must also agree not to begin any new medication or psychological therapy during the trial period. Participants should have sufficient English language skills to understand treatment materials and complete study assessments, and must be willing to give their informed consent (or assent, where appropriate).
The study is not suitable for individuals who have been diagnosed with a learning disability (IQ below 70), or where treatment would require adaptation as a result of diagnosed or suspected autism. It also excludes individuals for whom another condition is the primary concern. Individuals at high risk of serious harm to themselves or others, or those whose immediate safety is a primary concern, will also be excluded. Additionally, the study is not open to those currently receiving psychological therapy or who have previously received cognitive therapy or Graded CBT for social anxiety. Finally, those experiencing urgent environmental stressors (such as ongoing abuse, severe bullying, or trauma) that require immediate intervention will not be eligible.
