Can an AI chatbot cure social anxiety? new study tests smartphone therapy

NCT ID NCT07533812

Ongoing Symptom relief Sponsor: Stockholm University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This pilot study tests two 4-week smartphone treatments for social anxiety, one using psychodynamic therapy and the other cognitive behavioral therapy, both guided by an AI chatbot instead of a human therapist. 90 adults with social anxiety are randomly assigned to one of the two treatments or a waitlist. Participants complete weekly questionnaires to track changes in anxiety and mood.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: AI chatbot delivering psychotherapy modules
What this could lead to: If successful, this could point toward a scalable, low-cost digital treatment for social anxiety that doesn't require a human therapist.
What could go wrong: This is a small pilot study with only 90 participants and no long-term follow-up. The AI chatbot may not be as effective as in-person therapy, and results may not apply to everyone.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

social phobia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER (SAD)

Contacts and locations

Locations

Stockholm university

Stockholm, Stockholm County, 10691, Sweden

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.