A new clinical trial conducted at Tel Aviv University has discovered a technology-driven alternative to psychiatric medications for people with social anxiety disorder.
The trial found that Gaze-Contingent Music Reward Therapy (GC-MART) is as effective as drugs from the SSRI family, such as Cipralex, in treating social anxiety disorder. According to the groundbreaking study, the innovative treatment relieved the symptoms of about 50% of the participating patients.
The study was led by Prof. Yair Bar-Haim, Director of the Adler Center for Child Development and Psychopathology, and the Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience at Tel Aviv University. The paper was published in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
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Social anxiety disorder affects about 4-12% of the population. Currently, psychiatry and psychology offer sufferers two types of treatment: SSRI drugs, such as Cipralex, and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT requires 12-20 sessions with a qualified clinical psychologist, in which symptoms are relieved through gradual exposure to the cause of anxiety. However, CBT is a demanding and expensive treatment that necessitates the presence of a highly skilled therapist, leading to treatment dropout. Consequently, many patients turn to medication. However, psychiatric drugs like Cipralex have their own drawbacks, including side effects.
Researchers from TAU developed a third option, which is easy-to-use, quick and simple, and no less effective than psychiatric drugs. Moreover, a much lower dropout rate may be expected since the treatment is highly patient-friendly. In the clinical trial, 105 Israeli adults with social anxiety disorder were assigned into three groups: one group was treated with SSRI drugs, in this case, Cipralex; a second group was treated with GC-MART; and a control group. After ten 30-minute training sessions, about 50% of the patients provided with the new therapy demonstrated significant improvement in their symptoms, similar to the outcome reported for patients who took Cipralex.
GC-MART is based on eye-tracking combined with a musical reward. Patients choose the music they want to hear and are shown a crowd simulation on a computer screen. Individuals with social anxiety disorder tend to dwell on scowling or threatening facial expressions, quickly picking them out and unable to look away. Consequently, they often interpret the crowd or social situations as hostile, negative, or critical. In the new therapy, the music chosen by the patient provides positive feedback for a normal focus of attention on facial expressions in the crowd presented on the screen. Gradually, through training, patients’ biased attention is normalized, and symptoms recede.
Prof. Bar-Haim concludes: “Our findings are encouraging for therapists and patients. With efficacy similar to that of an existing first-line drug treatment, the new treatment does not require the patient to take medications regularly. The new treatment is simple and patient-friendly. It does not necessitate the prolonged intervention of a highly skilled psychologist, but rather interaction with social images on a screen, and therefore potentially offers accessible, effective, and convenient treatment for social anxiety disorder.” The researchers hope that GC-MART will soon be available as an effective alternative to psychiatric medications.
