Pen and paper therapy: writing away social anxiety?
NCT ID NCT07464158
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 02, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether writing about imagined future scenarios (worst-case, best-case, or neutral) can reduce social anxiety symptoms. 270 adults with elevated social anxiety will complete three online writing sessions over three weeks. Researchers will measure changes in anxiety and depression severity.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- writing exercise
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple, low-cost writing exercise to help people manage social anxiety symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early online study with no in-person follow-up. The exercises may not work for everyone, and results may not apply to people with severe anxiety.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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353 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2026
- Finished
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Jun 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * English fluency * Previous high-quality Prolific submission experience * Elevated social anxiety symptoms Exclusion Criteria: * Hospitalization for psychiatric reasons within the past year * Previous suicide attempt or self-harm * Previous treatment for severe head injury or past repeated serious head injury * Current psychosis symptoms * Elevated trauma symptoms
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, Colorado, 80309, United States
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