Virtual reality therapy for speech anxiety in college students
Multisite Virtual Reality Intervention for Speech Anxiety
This study is testing if virtual reality therapy can help college students with public speaking anxiety feel less anxious and more confident.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 840 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Boston University Charles River Campus Academic / other |
| Locations | 13 sites (Tucson, Arizona and 12 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06593847 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This multicenter clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy for college students experiencing public speaking anxiety. Participants will undergo a mood induction procedure before engaging in a single-session VR intervention designed to reduce their anxiety. The study will assess whether trait or state positive affectivity better predicts therapy outcomes, alongside measuring self-efficacy, hope, and optimism. Outcomes will be evaluated immediately after the intervention and one week later to determine the therapy's effectiveness.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are college students aged 18 to 70 who report high levels of public speaking anxiety.
Not a fit: Patients who have previously participated in this study will not benefit, as they are excluded from re-enrollment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce speech anxiety in college students, improving their public speaking skills and overall confidence.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success with VR exposure therapy for anxiety, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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).
Where this trial is running
Tucson, Arizona and 12 other locations
- University of Arizona — Tucson, Arizona, United States (Recruiting)
- Southern Illinois University — Carbondale, Illinois, United States (Recruiting)
- Tufts University — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
- Boston University — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
- Albright College — Reading, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
- University of Texas at Austin — Austin, Texas, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Western Sydney University — Penrith, New South Wales, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of New South Wales — Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Recruiting)
- Curtin University — Bently, Western Australia, Australia (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of Hong Kong — Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China (Recruiting)
- Philipps-Universität Marburg — Marburg, Hesse, Germany (Recruiting)
- Erasmus University — Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Utrecht University — Utrecht, Netherlands (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michael Otto, PhD — Boston University
- Study coordinator: Michael Otto, PhD
- Email: mwotto@bu.edu
- Phone: 6173539610
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.