AI-Assisted 4-Week Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Via Smartphone for Social Anxiety: Randomized Pilot Study (STePS-Ai)
Summary
NIH's ClinicalTrials.gov registered a new randomized pilot study comparing AI-assisted psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy delivered via smartphone for social anxiety disorder. The study will enroll participants in three arms: AI-guided psychodynamic therapy, AI-guided cognitive behavioral therapy, or waitlist control. Participants will complete weekly online questionnaires to monitor anxiety and mood changes over the 4-week intervention period.
What changed
ClinicalTrials.gov registered a new pilot study (NCT07533812) evaluating two AI-assisted smartphone-based treatments for social anxiety disorder. The study compares psychodynamic therapy with AI chatbot support against cognitive behavioral therapy with AI chatbot support, with a waitlist control group. The AI assistant is designed to support participants in reflecting on therapeutic principles.
Healthcare providers and researchers monitoring digital mental health innovations should note this study as a registry entry for a novel AI-assisted therapeutic approach. The study has no stated compliance obligations and represents research registration activity rather than a regulatory action.
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Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
AI-Assisted 4-Week Psychodynamic Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Via Smartphone for Social Anxiety: A Randomized Pilot Study (STePS-Ai)
N/A NCT07533812 Kind: NA Apr 16, 2026
Abstract
This pilot study compares two 4-week, smartphone-based treatments for social anxiety: one uses a psychodynamic therapy approach and the other uses a cognitive behavioral therapy approach. Both treatments are guided by an AI assistant rather than a human therapist. The AI assistant is programmed to support participants in reflecting on core therapeutic principles, much like a well-informed coach would.
Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: psychodynamic therapy with AI support, cognitive behavioral therapy with AI support, or a waitlist control. Those in the waitlist group can receive an active treatment after the 4-week waiting period. All participants complete weekly online questionnaires to monitor anxiety and any changes in mood or well-being.
Conditions: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
Interventions: Ai chatbot
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