34% Reduction in Social Anxiety Symptoms by ICBT

learningBOX, a cloud-based e-learning system provided by learningBOX Corporation, was used in clinical trials conducted at seven schools (Kagoshima University, Fukui University, Shigakukan University, Naruto University of Education, Fukushima Gakuin University, Kochi International Junior & Senior High School, and Niai University) to demonstrate the effectiveness of ICBT (Internet Cognitive Behavior Therapy) in improving social anxiety under threshold conditions. ICBT (Internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) was proven to be effective in improving subthreshold social anxiety. We are pleased to announce that this initiative has been recognized and nominated as a finalist for the Well-Being Award at the Bett Asia Awards 2024.

About the Bett Asia Awards Well-Being Awards

The Bett Asia Awards honor EdTech schools, organizations, and individuals who are revolutionizing education in the Asia-Pacific region. On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the announcement was made at Bett Asia, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Asian edition of Bett (British Educational Training and Technology) known as the world's largest exhibition on education and technology.

The Bett Asia Awards Well-Being Award is presented to an individual, group, or organization that uses EdTech to contribute to the development of the mental and/or physical health of students and teachers.

▼Learn more about the Bett Asia Awards 2024
Bet Asia Awards |Bet Asia (betshow.com)

Lack of Specialists and Hurdles in Interpersonal Treatment

The influence of social media and COVID-19 has brought attention to mental health issues among young adults. The mental health condition marked by intense anxiety and embarrassment in social settings, couple with a fear of negative evaluations is called social anxiety disorder (*SAD), and young adults with this condition are more likely to face challenges in interpersonal relationships, academic performance and career development, and early intervention for subthreshold SAD is essential to prevent these issues.
However, a shortage of cognitive behavioral therapists and the uneven distribution of treatment facilities in urban areas make access to cognitive behavioral therapy a problem.

*Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)...One of the anxiety disorders. It is a psychiatric disorder that causes intense embarrassment and anxiety in situations where one is paid attention from others or in social settings, and it interferes with daily life.

To address this issue, professors at the universities listed above utilized our cloud-based e-learning system, learningBOX, to conduct clinical trials to examine the effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) from December 2022 to October 2023.
Participants in the clinical trial were a total of 77 students from six universities and one high school who did not meet diagnostic criteria but had some symptoms of anxiety in social situations. Participants were randomly assigned 38 to the intervention group (ICBT group) and 39 to the control group (no treatment group). The intervention group was provided content via learningBOX to teach cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to overcome social anxiety.

The Results Indicated ICBT Improves Subthreshold SAD in Youth

Ten weeks after the start of the clinical trial (immediately after the end of the intervention), the intervention group achieved a significantly higher remission rate of 61% (19/31) than 38% (9/38) in the control group, indicating that ICBT is effective in improving subthreshold social anxiety symptoms in adolescents and young adults.
The dropout rate from ICBT utilizing learnignBOX was also quite low at 9% and showed an average 34% reduction in social anxiety symptoms among youth receiving the intervention within the first three months of the intervention.

The results of this clinical trial indicate that ICBT in self-help is effective for subthreshold social anxiety.

Self-help...solving one's own problems on one's own without professional help.

Kazuki Matsumoto, PhD Division of Clinical Psychology,
Kagoshima University Hospital

Embarrassment and anxiety in social settings are changes in emotion felt by many people. Therefore, they tend to be regarded as mere personality problems even when they are interfering with daily life, and rarely lead to appropriate treatment. Avoidance of interpersonal support also delays the start of treatment.
By taking advantage of the learningBOX, cognitive behavioral therapy can be delivered safely and immediately to those who need it. In the future, we may be able to provide cognitive behavioral therapy to all of them.