A Novel Computer-Based Therapy for Social Anxiety

The present study is a double blind trial that seeks to examine the feasibility,
acceptability, efficacy, and mechanism of a recently developed eye-tracking-based therapy
(GC-MRT) in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). The purpose of this study is to
assess whether a brief computer-based research treatment, provided in 30 minutes sessions
twice a week for 4 weeks, helps improve social anxiety symptoms, and by what mechanism. The
study will also assess the effect of research treatments on brain activity using a scan
called magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Inclusion Criteria:

- Males and females between the ages of 18 and 60

- Current DSM-V primary diagnosis of SAD

- Score of at least 50 on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (Self-rated version)

- Fluent in English and willing and able to give informed written consent and
participate responsibly in the protocol

- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion Criteria:

- Present or past psychotic episode, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective
disorder, or bipolar disorder

- Current severe depression

- Suicidal ideation or behavior

- Current diagnosis of PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, manic
episode or tic disorder

- Current or past organic mental disorder, seizure disorder, epilepsy or brain injury

- Current unstable or untreated medical illness

- Severe alcohol use disorder, severe cannabis use disorder, and any severity of other
substance use disorder (except nicotine use disorders allowed)

- Use of psychiatric medication in the past month other than a stable dose of selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for a least 3 months

- Any concurrent cognitive behavioral therapy; other psychotherapy that was initiated in
the past 3 months

- Pregnancy, or plans to become pregnant during the period of the study - will be
assessed by Urine β-HCG

- Contraindication to MRI scanning:

- Paramagnetic metallic implants or devices contraindicating magnetic resonance imaging
or any other non-removable paramagnetic metal in the body (e.g. pacemaker,
paramagnetic metallic prosthesis, surgical clips, shrapnel, necessity for constant
medicinal patch, some tattoos)

- Being unable to tolerate the scanning procedures (i.e., severe obesity,
claustrophobia)