The efficacy of Internet-supported intervention for social anxiety disorder: A brief meta-analytic review

The purpose of this article is to critically review the new generation of Internet-supported interventions and to investigate their efficacy in reducing social anxiety symptoms. Included studies were identified through a computer search in PsychInfo and PubMed databases for English language articles. Finally, eight studies met our inclusion criteria. It seems that Internet-supported interventions are effective in reducing social anxiety (d=0.86), and modestly effective in improving the quality of life (d=0.53), and comorbid anxiety and depression (d=0.40). Using the Internet technology in psychotherapy appears to be a promising way to bridge distances and remotely offer validated interventions for anxiety sufferers. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the 2nd World Conference on Psychology, Counselling and guidance.