What Our Research Says

The aim of the VirtualClinic is to develop and evaluate Internet based education and treatment programs for anxiety and depression. Every person who participates in a VirtualClinic program is asked to participate in a research trial that evaluates and improves that program. We publish the overall results of each of these research programs. This means that other research teams around Australia and around the world can learn from our experience and, hopefully, this will mean that these programs will continue to be improved and will become more freely available.

We have now treated more than 1,000 people using versions of the Sadness (for depression), Panic (for panic disorder), Shyness (for social phobia), Worry (for generalized anxiety disorder) and anxiety (for people with social phobia, GAD, or panic disorder) and found that they are of benefit to most of the people who complete the program.

Below are the research papers that have been published. Please note that this list will be updated regularly, but we have many more publications in preparation, submitted, or awaiting publication.

Our Research About Depression

Clinician-assisted Internet-based treatment is effective for depression: A randomized controlled trial. Perini, S. J., N. Titov, et al. (2009). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 43(6): 571-578. Click to read the abstract.

The Climate Sadness program: an open trial of Internet-based treatment for depression. Perini SJ, Titov N, Andrews G. Electronic Journal of Applied Psychology 2008; 4(2).

Our Research About GAD

Clinician-assisted internet treatment is effective for generalized anxiety disorder: randomized controlled trial. Titov N, Andrews G, Robinson E, Schwencke G, Johnston L, Solley K, Choi I. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2009, 43:10, 905-912. Click to read the abstract.

Our Research About Panic

The Climate Panic program: an open trial of Internet-based treatment for panic disorder. Wims E, Titov N, Andrews G. Electronic Journal of Applied Psychology 2008; 4(2).

Our Research About Social Phobia

Internet treatment for social phobia reduces comorbidity. Titov N, Gibson M, Andrews G, McEvoy P. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2009 Aug;43(8):754-9. Click to read the abstract.

An RCT comparing effect of two types of support on severity of symptoms for people completing Internet-based cognitive behaviour therapy for social phobia. Titov N, Andrews G, Schwencke G, Solley K, Johnston L, Robinson E. (2009). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry,43:10,920 — 926.

Randomized controlled trial of web-based treatment of social phobia without clinician guidance. Titov N, Andrews G, Choi I, Schwencke G, Johnston L, (2009). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry,43:10,913 — 919.

The Shyness Program: Longer Term Benefits, Cost-Effectiveness, and Acceptability. Titov, N., G. Andrews, et al. (2009). Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 43(1): 36-44. Click to read the abstract.

Shyness 5: The clinical effectiveness of Internet-based clinician-assisted treatment of social phobia. Aydos L R, Titov N, et al. (in press). Australasian Psychiatry.

Shyness 3: An RCT of guided vs unguided internet based CBT for social phobia. Titov N, Andrews G, Choi I, Schwencke G, Mahoney A. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2008; 42(12):1030-1040. Click to read the abstract.

Shyness 2: Treating social phobia online: replication and extension. Titov N, Andrews G, Schwencke G. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2008 42(7):595-605. Click to read the abstract.

Shyness 1: Distance treatment for social over the Internet. A randomized controlled trial. Titov N, Andrews G, Schwencke G, Drobny J, Einstein D. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 2008; 42(7):585-594. Click to read the abstract.

Page Last Updated: 8 January 2010, by Dr Nickolai Titov