AI-Assisted 4-Week Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Via Smartphone for Soci… (NCT07533812) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
AI-Assisted 4-Week Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Via Smartphone for Social Anxiety: A Randomized Pilot Study (STePS-Ai)
Sweden90 participantsStarted 2025-04-21
Plain-language summary
This pilot study compares two 4-week, smartphone-based treatments for social anxiety: one uses a psychodynamic therapy approach and the other uses a cognitive behavioral therapy approach. Both treatments are guided by an AI assistant rather than a human therapist. The AI assistant is programmed to support participants in reflecting on core therapeutic principles, much like a well-informed coach would.
Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: psychodynamic therapy with AI support, cognitive behavioral therapy with AI support, or a waitlist control. Those in the waitlist group can receive an active treatment after the 4-week waiting period. All participants complete weekly online questionnaires to monitor anxiety and any changes in mood or well-being.
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.
* Age 18 years or older
* Score of 30 or higher on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report (LSAS-SR)
* Access to a smartphone
* Ability to read and write Swedish
* Currently engaged in psychological treatment
* Severe depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score 20 or higher)
* Use of medication for anxiety or depression if there have been changes within the past 30 days
* Suicidality as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
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
1
Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)
Timeframe: Baseline (pre-randomization), weekly during the 4-week intervention, post-treatment at week 4, and 1-month follow-up