HablaRÉ: self-applied online training to correct emotional reasoning bias for public speaking anxiety

HablaRÉ: Self-applied Online Training for Correcting Emotional Reasoning Biases in Public Speaking Anxiety. A Feasibility, Non-randomised Pilot Study.

This program will try a self-guided online training to reduce emotional reasoning bias and help adults with public speaking anxiety feel less anxious when speaking in front of others.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Universitat Jaume I (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Castellon, Castellón)
• Trial ID: NCT07051135 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

HablaRÉ is a self-administered, Spanish-language online intervention designed to correct emotional reasoning biases thought to worsen public speaking anxiety. Participants complete the digital training using a computer or mobile device while researchers measure usability, acceptability, satisfaction, and adherence. The study is a feasibility pilot conducted through Universitat Jaume I to determine whether a larger randomized clinical trial is practical and what outcome measures should be used. Inclusion focuses on adults with elevated emotional reasoning or public speaking anxiety scores and stable medication status, while severe mental illness or active suicidal plans are exclusionary.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults who read Spanish, have access to the internet and a device, score above cutoffs on the emotional reasoning or public speaking anxiety scales, are not receiving other psychological treatment for public speaking anxiety, and have stable medication regimens are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with severe mental disorders, active suicidal plans, substance abuse, minors, those who cannot read Spanish or lack internet/device access, or those already in another psychological treatment for public speaking anxiety are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, HablaRÉ could reduce biased emotional judgments and lower public speaking anxiety, improving daily functioning in work, education, and social situations.

How similar studies have performed: Technology-delivered CBT and bias-modification approaches have shown promise for specific phobias and public speaking anxiety, but direct targeting of emotional reasoning in public speaking anxiety is largely novel and has limited prior testing.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Be of legal age.
2. Accept the informed consent.
3. Adequately understand/read Spanish.
4. Have access to a mobile device or computer with an Internet connection.
5. Not receiving any other psychological treatment for public speaking anxiety during the study period.
6. Have a score of 43 or higher on the Emotional reasoning scale (ERPSAS) AND/OR a score of 55 or higher on the Spanish version of the Public Speaking Anxiety Scale (PSAS-S) for fear of public speaking.
7. If taking prescribed medication for anxiety/depression, have had no changes in dosage for at least one month before the procedure.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Not accepting the informed consent.
2. Being a minor.
3. Having a severe mental disorder (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders) or substance abuse (alcohol or other substances) or having active suicidal plans (suicide item in the ODSIS depression questionnaire ≥ 2) that would prevent participation in the program.
4. In the case of receiving medication, changes in medication during treatment will be evaluated but will not lead to exclusion.

Where this trial is running

Castellon, Castellón

• University Jaume I — Castellon, Castellón, Spain (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Macarena Paredes-Mealla, PhD Student — Universitat Jaume I
• Study coordinator: Macarena Paredes-Mealla, PhD Student

Conditions Public Speaking Anxiety; Emotional Reasoning; Anxiety; Emotional disorders; Feasibility; Internet intervention; Psychological treatment