Comment on “Safety and Efficacy of Modular Digital Psychotherapy for Social Anxiety: Randomized Controlled Trial” (Preprint)

UNSTRUCTURED The research conducted by Garvert et al. on modular digital cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety disorder (SAD) was captivating to us. While the results are promising, we wish to highlight several concerns that may affect the interpretation of the findings. Although the authors acknowledge the frequent co-occurrence of SAD with other mental health issues such as depression, their screening approach primarily concentrated on alcohol and recreational drug consumption, potentially overlooking important confounding variables. Additionally, providing financial incentives for finishing screenings and surveys may have influenced participant behavior, despite the absence of direct rewards for app usage. Ultimately, the observed strong adherence and acceptance, mainly resulting from median module completion and responses to a tailored questionnaire, necessitate thoughtful interpretation. Addressing these elements is vital for a better understanding of the efficacy and adoption of digital solutions for SAD.