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Open Paper

Interventions and Care Delivery Models in the Context of Resource Limitations

Low-Intensity and Self-Help Interventions in Global Settings

1 - (OP16) Fully Self-help Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Gaze Anxiety Among University Students

Friday, June 26, 2026
11:05 AM - 11:22 AM PDT
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 1, B3 Level
Keywords: Social Anxiety, Self-Help, Randomized Controlled Trial
Recommended Readings: Matsumoto K, Hamatani S, Shiga K, Iiboshi K, Kasai M, Kimura Y, Yokota S, Watanabe K, Kubo Y, Nakamura M. Effectiveness of Unguided Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Subthreshold Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents and Young Adults: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial, JMIR Pediatr Parent 2024;7:e55786.,   Matsumoto K, Hamatani S, Mizuno Y, et al. Self-help cognitive behavioral therapy for gaze anxiety in young adults: Protocol of a 3-arms, multicenter, randomized controlled trial. PCN Rep. 2025;4(4):e70236. doi:10.1002/pcn5.70236.,   Wang Q, Zhang W, An S. A systematic review and meta-analysis of Internet-based self-help interventions for mental health among adolescents and college students. Internet Interv. 2023;34:100690.,   ,  


Introduction: Gaze anxiety is prevalent among young people and poses a risk to mental health. Effectiveness of short-term self-help CBT for gaze anxiety remains unclear. This study examined the effectiveness of fully self-help CBT in reducing gaze anxiety.

Methods: A three-arm randomized controlled trial was conducted among undergraduate and graduate students with gaze anxiety. Participants were assigned to bCBT, iCBT, or a waitlist control group. In the intervention groups, the participants were encouraged to work through the materials independently over a 5-week period. The primary outcome, gaze anxiety, was assessed using the Japanese version of the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale at baseline, post-intervention, and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Linear mixed-effects models were conducted for all outcomes, and between-group comparisons were performed using Dunnett’s tests.

Results: A total of 244 participants were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The linear mixed-effect model revealed a significant Group × Time interaction for the primary outcome (F [6, 772] = 7.40, p < .001). At post-intervention, reductions in the GARS-J total scores were larger in the bCBT group (adj. diff = −11.61, 95% CI [−16.85, −6.36], g = 0.74) and in the iCBT group (adj. diff = −8.78, 95% CI [−14.09, −3.46], g = 0.37) than in the control group. These improvements were maintained at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups. One serious adverse event occurred in the control group; no serious adverse events were reported in the intervention groups.

Conclusion: Fully self-help CBT may represent a promising approach for addressing gaze anxiety.

Learning Objectives:

  • Attendees of this presentation session will gain new insights into the effectiveness of a brief self-help CBT for young adults with social anxiety, learning about both its efficacy and limitations.