Breathe Hard to Breathe Easy: High-Intensity Online Breathwork-Assisted Psychotherapy for Social Anxiety

Overview:

This study will examine if a new type of online therapy that combines high-intensity breathing exercises with traditional psychotherapy can reduce social anxiety better than slow-paced breathing exercises.

Abstract:

This study investigates the efficacy of breathwork-assisted psychotherapy (BAP) in reducing social anxiety (SA). High-intensity breathwork, aimed at inducing altered states of consciousness (ASC), will be combined with online psychotherapy to evaluate its impact on individuals suffering from SA. A randomized controlled design will be used, where 86 participants will be divided into two groups: one undergoing the novel high-ventilation breathwork-assisted psychotherapy (HV-BAP), and another receiving a control intervention using slow-paced breathwork (SP-BAP). The treatments will be delivered through two modules, each involving preparation, a 45-minute breathwork session, and integration. The study's primary outcome is the reduction in SA, measured through validated psychological scales at baseline, one week, and one month after the last integration session. Secondary outcomes include changes in salivary cortisol levels, heart rate variability, and social performance. Additionally, associations with suggestibility, openness, therapeutic alliance, and treatment expectancy will be assessed. The study aims at furthering the understanding of ASC's therapeutic potential through breathwork, paving the way for more accessible and effective treatments for SA and potentially other mental health conditions.

Broader Impact:

Through a novel approach that pairs intense breathwork with online therapy, this project aims to ease social anxiety by helping individuals access altered states of consciousness that support emotional healing. The method could offer people practical tools for managing anxiety in daily life without medication or in-person treatment. If effective, it may pave the way for more accessible, affordable, and empowering mental health care.