Lost connection? Comparing group cohesion and treatment outcomes between videoconference and in-person cognitive behavioural group therapy for social anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders

BACKGROUND: One of the most effective treatments for social anxiety disorder (SAD) is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Prior research indicates group cohesion is connected to treatment success in group CBT for SAD (CBGT). Videoconference CBGT delivery is now common following the COVID-19 pandemic; however, research investigating treatment outcomes and group cohesion in videoconference CBGT for SAD is limited. AIMS: The present study aimed to compare group cohesion in videoconference CBGT for SAD to group cohesion in both in-person CBGT for SAD and videoconference CBGT for other anxiety and related disorders. A secondary aim was to compare symptom reduction across all three groups. METHOD: Patients completed a 12-week CBGT program for SAD in-person (n=28), SAD via videoconference (n=46), or for another anxiety or related disorder via videoconference (n=100). At mid- and post-treatment patients completed the Group Cohesion Scale Revised (GCS-R), and at pre- and post-treatment patients completed the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN, only in the SAD groups) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). RESULTS: Over the course of treatment, all three groups showed a significant increase in cohesion and a significant decrease in symptoms (η_p² ranged from .156 to .562, all p<.001). Furthermore, analyses revealed no significant difference in cohesion scores between groups at both mid- and post-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that videoconference CBGT for SAD is similarly effective in facilitating cohesion and reducing symptoms compared with in-person delivery. Limitations of the study and implications for treatment are discussed.