Public Speaking, Speech Anxiety
Conditions
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 multicenter study (conducted through the Exposure Therapy Consortium) is designed to evaluate whether trait versus state positive affectivity is a more effective predictor of exposure therapy outcomes. Further, the investigators will examine whether the predictive significance of trait positive affectivity can be accounted for by examination of baseline levels of self-efficacy, hope, and optimism.
Detailed description
The goal of this multicenter clinical trial is to examine predictors of VR exposure therapy outcomes for college students with public speaking anxiety following a positive or negative mood induction. The overarching aim of the present study is to evaluate whether trait versus state positive affectivity is a more effective predictor of exposure therapy outcomes. Further, the investigators will examine whether the predictive significance of trait positive affectivity can be accounted for by examination of baseline levels of self-efficacy, hope, and optimism. State affect is manipulated at an experimental level with affect induction procedures; trait positive affectivity is measured at baseline. 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. The one-week follow-up assessment represents the primary outcome.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALSingle-session VR exposure intervention
VR exposure is the only intervention, but the VR intervention is conducted following either positive or negative mood induction.
Sponsors
University of Texas at Austin
Curtin University
Erasmus University Rotterdam
National University of Singapore
Southern Illinois University
Tufts University
The University of New South Wales
University of Western Sydney
University of Arizona
The University of Hong Kong
Philipps Universität Marburg
Albright College
Utrecht University
Boston University Charles River Campus
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Participants are blind to the study hypothesis and outcomes are assessed by participant self-report.
Intervention model description
Single session VR-based exposure therapy
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Self-report of 18 - 70 years of age * Current student at a participating 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 ≥ 18 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).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Public Speaking Anxiety | One week follow-up assessment | Assessed using the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension, Public Speaking Subscale (PRCA-PS). Scores range from 6 to 30, with higher scores associated with higher public speaking anxiety. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Valence | One week follow-up assessment | Self-report measure of how participant feels about having to give a speech |
| Assessed using the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) | One week follow-up assessment | Assessed using the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN). Scores range from 0-68, with higher scores indicating greater social phobia. |
| Public Speaking Anxiety | Post-treatment assessment immediately after the intervention | Assessed using the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension, Public Speaking Subscale (PRCA-PS). Scores range from 6 to 30, with higher scores associated with higher public speaking anxiety. |
Countries
Australia, China, Germany, Netherlands, United States
Outcome results
None listed