An Internet-based self-help treatment for fear of public speaking: a controlled trial

Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2010 Aug;13(4):407-21. doi: 10.1089/cyber.2009.0224.

Abstract

This study offers data about the efficacy of "Talk to Me," an Internet-based telepsychology program for the treatment of fear of public speaking that includes the most active components in cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for social phobia (exposure and cognitive therapies). One hundred twenty-seven participants with social phobia were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions: (a) an Internet-based self-administered program; (b) the same program applied by a therapist; (c) a waiting-list control group. Results showed that both treatment conditions were equally efficacious. In addition, Talk to Me and the same treatment applied by a therapist were more efficacious than the waiting-list condition. Treatment gains were maintained at 1-year follow-up. The results from this study support the utility of Internet-delivered CBT programs in order to reach a higher number of people who could benefit from CBT. Internet-delivered CBT programs could also play a valuable role in the dissemination of CBT.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phobic Disorders / psychology
  • Phobic Disorders / therapy*
  • Programmed Instructions as Topic
  • Self-Help Groups
  • Social Behavior
  • Speech*
  • Telemedicine
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult