NCT07464158

Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to investigate and compare the effects of three different versions of a future imaginal writing exercise (worst-case scenario, neutral future scenario, best-case scenario) for individuals with elevated social anxiety symptoms. Participants (N=270) will be recruited through the online platform, Prolific, and will be randomly assigned to one of three writing exercise conditions. Participants will complete three study sessions across approximately three weeks. Study session 1 (T1) will consist of baseline assessments and pre-writing ratings, a future imaginal writing exercise, and then post-writing ratings. Study session 2 (T2) will occur approximately one week later and will consist of mid-study assessments and pre-writing ratings, a second, repeated future imaginal writing exercise, and then post-writing ratings. Finally, study session 3 (T3) will occur approximately one week later (approximately two weeks after T1) and will consist of follow-up assessments and repeated post-writing ratings.

Trial Health

75
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
270

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable anxiety

Timeline
9mo left

Started Mar 2026

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
enrolling by invitation

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Progress25%
Mar 2026Mar 2027

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

March 2, 2026

Completed
9 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

March 11, 2026

Completed
10 days until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

March 21, 2026

Completed
12 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 1, 2027

Expected
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 1, 2027

Last Updated

April 28, 2026

Status Verified

April 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

12 months

First QC Date

March 2, 2026

Last Update Submit

April 27, 2026

Conditions

AnxietyStressSocial Anxiety

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN)

    Social anxiety symptom severity, range: 0-68 total, higher scores indicate higher social anxiety symptom severity.

    Baseline through study completion, an average of 3 weeks.

Secondary Outcomes (13)

  • Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8)

    Baseline through study completion, an average of 3 weeks.

  • Overall Anxiety Severity and Impairment Scale (OASIS)

    Baseline through study completion, an average of 3 weeks.

  • Social Approach Motivation

    Baseline through study completion, an average of 3 weeks.

  • Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS-10)

    Baseline through study completion, an average of 3 weeks.

  • Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ): Catastrophizing and Positive Reappraisal subscales

    Baseline through study completion, an average of 3 weeks.

  • +8 more secondary outcomes

Study Arms (3)

Worst-Case Scenario

EXPERIMENTAL
Behavioral: Worst-Case Scenario Written Exposure Exercise

Neutral Future Scenario

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Behavioral: Neutral Future Scenario Written Exercise

Best-Case Scenario

EXPERIMENTAL
Behavioral: Best-Case Scenario Written Exposure Exercise

Interventions

Worst-Case Scenario Written Exposure ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

Written exposure exercise about an imagined future worst-case scenario.

Worst-Case Scenario
Neutral Future Scenario Written ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

Written exercise about an imagined neutral future scenario.

Neutral Future Scenario
Best-Case Scenario Written Exposure ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

Written exposure exercise about an imagined future best-case scenario.

Best-Case Scenario

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • English fluency
  • Previous high-quality Prolific submission experience
  • Elevated social anxiety symptoms

You may not qualify if:

  • 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

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado, 80309, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Postdoctoral Associate

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

March 2, 2026

First Posted

March 11, 2026

Study Start

March 21, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2027

Last Updated

April 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Locations

US(1)