Think positive: simple mental rehearsal may supercharge anxiety treatment

NCT ID NCT06564402

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Philipps University Marburg Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether adding a positive mental rehearsal after exposure therapy helps people with social anxiety feel better faster. Forty participants with high social anxiety will complete a one-session exposure exercise, then either standard or positive mental rehearsal. Researchers will measure anxiety symptoms one week later to see if the positive rehearsal group improves more.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Positive mental rehearsal (a guided imagination exercise after exposure therapy)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to make exposure therapy more effective for social anxiety.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early-stage study with only 40 participants and a single session. The results may not apply to real-world therapy or last long-term.

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 SOCIAL PHOBIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

Germany Philipps University
RECRUITING

Marburg, 35037, Germany

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