Virtual Reality Intervention for Speech Anxiety

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.

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.

The standardized procedures outlined in our laboratory's previously conducted study (Stathopoulou, Pollack, & Otto, 2018) will be followed. Participants will be presented with two brief film clips on a computer monitor or TV screen. These film clips were selected to elicit positive affect. As utilized in past lab study procedures, participants will be asked to: "Let yourself experience whatever emotions you have, as fully as you can. Don't try to hold back, or hold in, your feelings" (Stathopoulou, Pollack, & Otto, 2018). Together, the two film clips will last for approximately 5 minutes.

The standardized procedures outlined in our laboratory's previously conducted study (Stathopoulou, Pollack, & Otto, 2018) will be followed. Participants will be presented with two brief film clips on a computer monitor or TV screen. These film clips were selected to elicit negative affect. As utilized in past lab study procedures, participants will be asked to: "Let yourself experience whatever emotions you have, as fully as you can. Don't try to hold back, or hold in, your feelings" (Stathopoulou, Pollack, & Otto, 2018). Together, the two film clips will last for approximately 5 minutes.

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).