Self-help cognitive behavioral therapy for gaze anxiety in young adults: Protocol of a 3-arms, multicenter, randomized controlled trial

Background: Gaze anxiety (scopophobia) is a frequently observed and reported symptom that is closely associated with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Considering the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for social anxiety, it may also be beneficial for individuals with gaze anxiety. Self-help CBT can offer a means of early intervention; however, its effectiveness remains unclear. Methods: This protocol describes the design of a clinical trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy of two self-help CBT interventions for gaze anxiety. This multicenter randomized controlled trial is planned across 12 institutions in Japan. The participants will be young adults aged 18–30 years who report anxiety and avoidance related to gazes. The enrolled participants will be randomly assigned to either a self-help book CBT group, a web-based CBT group, or a control group. The severity of gaze anxiety, as the primary outcome, will be assessed using online questionnaires at baseline, 3 months post-intervention, and the 6-month follow-up, with effectiveness evaluated through statistical analysis using mixed-effects models. Results: The clinical trial will be performed from April 2025 to March 2026, and the results of this study are expected to be available by mid-2026. The results of this trial will provide insights into the effectiveness of self-help CBT for gaze anxiety (scopophobia). Conclusions: This trial will examine whether self-help CBT improves access and whether it is effective for adolescents and young adults with social anxiety, especially gaze anxiety.