Virtual Reality Intervention for Speech Anxiety

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Public Speaking; Speech Anxiety

• Registration Number: NCT06086756
• Lead Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus

Brief Summary

Exposure-based cognitive behavior therapy is an efficacious treatment for speech anxiety and has been delivered effectively in a virtual reality (VR) environment. The present study is designed to evaluate whether mood state moderates outcome to a brief VR exposure intervention.

Detailed Description

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare outcomes of VR exposure therapy for college students with public speaking anxiety following a positive or negative mood induction. The overarching aim of the present study is to determine whether mood state prior to engaging in a brief VR exposure therapy session for public speaking anxiety impacts treatment outcomes.

The study involves three phases: (1) initial screening, (2) in-person assessment and brief exposure intervention for a subset of participants with elevated public speaking anxiety, and (3) a one-week follow-up assessment conducted online. Students who choose to participate and screen high on a public speaking anxiety scale will be assigned to a positive or negative mood induction condition prior to undergoing VR based exposure therapy. Public speaking and social anxiety outcomes are measured immediately post-intervention and one week later.

Researchers will compare participants given a positive mood induction to participants given a negative mood induction to see if public speaking anxiety outcomes differ.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2023-10-02
• Study First Submitted QC: 2023-10-11
• Study First Posted: 2023-10-17
• Study Start: 2023-11-01
• Status Verified: 2023-12
• Primary Completion: 2023-12-05
• Study Completion: 2023-12-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2023-12-07
• Last Update Posted: 2023-12-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 48

Inclusion Criteria

• Self-report of 18 years of age or older
• Current student at Boston University
• Ability to read English to provide informed consent
• Familiarity with a computer keyboard and mouse or a touch screen device (e.g. phone, tablet).
• For Phase 2: speech anxiety scale score of ≥ 14 on the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension, Public Speaking Subscale (PRCA-PS)

Exclusion Criteria

• Previous participation (i.e., no participant may take the survey more than once).

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Public Speaking Anxiety	Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from post-treatment, approximately 2 week post-screen	Assessed using the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension, Public Speaking Subscale (PRCA-PS)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Valence	Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from follow up survey, 1 week post-exposure	Self-report measure of how participant feels about having to give a speech
Social Phobia	Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from follow up survey, 1 week post-exposure	Assessed using the social phobia inventory (SPIN)
Public Speaking Anxiety	Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from follow up survey, 1 week post-exposure	Assessed using the PRCA-PS

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders; 🇺🇸 Boston, Massachusetts, United States