CompletedNot Applicable

The Efficacy of Prospective Mental Imagery in Enhancing Approach Motivation Among Socially Anxious Individuals

Germany129 participantsStarted 2025-03-04

Plain-language summary

The efficacy of an online intervention aimed at enhancing approach motivation and behavioral engagement in confronting anxiety-inducing social situations is examined among individuals with elevated social anxiety. Participants will receive psychoeducation, followed by either a prospective mental-imagery task or a verbal reasoning task. Efficacy of the intervention is measured by ratings of experienced and anticipated pleasure, approach motivation and self-reported engagement with feared situations one week later.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Elevated score on Mini-Social Phobia Inventory (Mini-SPIN) \> 6 * Moderate fear and avoidance of two specified social situations (i.e., giving a stranger a compliment and asking for a restaurant recommendation), each rated above 5 on a Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 10 (extremely), respectively * Avoidance of the two specified social situations (i.e., giving a stranger a compliment and asking for a restaurant recommendation), indicated by not having engaged in either behaviors in the past 7 days

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Anticipatory Pleasure

Timeframe: Baseline (prior to the assigned intervention) and immediately post-intervention (following the prospective mental imagery or verbal reasoning task)

Anticipated Pleasure

Timeframe: Baseline (prior to the assigned intervention) and immediately post-intervention (following the prospective mental imagery or verbal reasoning task)

Reward Anticipation

Timeframe: Baseline (prior to the assigned intervention) and immediately post-intervention (following the prospective mental imagery or verbal reasoning task)

Motivation

Timeframe: Baseline (prior to the assigned intervention) and immediately post-intervention (following the prospective mental imagery or verbal reasoning task)

Frequency of Exposure

Timeframe: Post-treatment (i.e., 7 days after baseline)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06977087

SponsorPhilipps University Marburg

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-07-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Social Anxiety trials

Plain-language summary

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Anticipatory Pleasure

Timeframe: Baseline (prior to the assigned intervention) and immediately post-intervention (following the prospective mental imagery or verbal reasoning task)

Anticipated Pleasure

Timeframe: Baseline (prior to the assigned intervention) and immediately post-intervention (following the prospective mental imagery or verbal reasoning task)

Reward Anticipation

Timeframe: Baseline (prior to the assigned intervention) and immediately post-intervention (following the prospective mental imagery or verbal reasoning task)

Motivation

Timeframe: Baseline (prior to the assigned intervention) and immediately post-intervention (following the prospective mental imagery or verbal reasoning task)

Frequency of Exposure

Timeframe: Post-treatment (i.e., 7 days after baseline)