Abstract

GADELHA, Maria José Nunes et al. Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for social anxiety disorder: a systematic review. Rev. bras.ter. cogn. [online]. 2021, vol.17, n.2, pp. 96-104. ISSN 1808-5687.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/1808-5687.20210022.

Internet-based Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (iCBT) has been used to treat several mental disorders, among them Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). The present study aimed to investigate empirical studies involving internet-based cognitive-behavioral interventions for the treatment of SAD, provided they were conducted partially or entirely in synchronous format. A systematic review was conducted between May and June 2021 in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. The combination of keywords used were (1) "internet-based" OR "internet-delivered" OR "online" OR "telepsychology" AND "cognitive behavioral therapy" OR "cognitive therapy" AND "social phobia" OR "social anxiety disorder"; and (2) "iCBT" AND "social phobia" OR "social anxiety disorder". Four papers were selected. These studies presented synchronous interventions by videoconference and aimed to test its efficacy for treating SAD over the Internet. Results show that psychoeducation and exposure techniques are well suited in the online format. There is evidence that treatment of individuals with SAD is effective and feasible, resulting in symptom reduction or remission and improved quality of life. Still, further research is needed to consolidate the evidence of synchronous Internet-based treatment for SAD.

Keywords : Videoconferencing; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Telepsychology; Phobia, Social; Systematic Review.

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