The acceptability of an Internet-based self-help treatment for fear of public speaking

ABSTRACT

Several randomised controlled studies have shown the efficacy of Internet-based self-help treatments. These studies have centred their attention on axis I (efficacy) of the Guidelines for Empirically Validated Treatments, although there are a few studies that also take into account axis II (effectiveness). The aim of the present work was to test the acceptability of an Internet-based self-help program for fear of public speaking and to compare its acceptability with the same treatment administered by a therapist. Fifty-two participants suffering from social phobia were randomly selected to take part in one of these treatments. All participants reported being satisfied with the treatment received, and results did not show significant differences between both treatments. These outcomes were maintained at 12-month follow-ups.

Keywords:

• fear of public speaking
• self-help
• telepsychology
• cognitive-behavioural therapy
• social phobia

Acknowledgements

The research presented in this paper was funded in part by Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia, Spain, PROYECTOS CONSOLIDER-C (SEJ2006-14301/PSIC), by Programa de Acciones Integradas con Sudáfrica (HS2006-0001), and by Universitat Jaume I – Fundació Caixa Castelló (P1 1A2005-06). CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición is an initiative of ISCIII.