Virtual reality therapy for speech anxiety in college students
Official title: Multisite Virtual Reality Intervention for Speech Anxiety
Run by Boston University Charles River Campus · NCT06593847 · Data updated 2026-05-14
This study is no longer in our active list. It may have stopped recruiting or finished. The details below are as of 2026-05-14 and are kept for reference. Check ClinicalTrials.gov for its current status, or see similar studies below.
This study is testing if virtual reality therapy can help college students with public speaking anxiety feel less anxious and more confident.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 840 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Boston University Charles River Campus Academic / other |
| Locations | 13 sites (Tucson, Arizona and 12 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06593847 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are college students aged 18 to 70 who report high levels of public speaking anxiety.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have previously participated in this study will not benefit, as they are excluded from re-enrollment.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: Previous studies have shown success with VR exposure therapy for anxiety, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
-
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 New South Wales
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Recruiting
Show 7 more locations
-
University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China Recruiting -
Philipps-Universität Marburg
Marburg, Hesse, Germany Recruiting -
Utrecht University
Utrecht, Netherlands Recruiting -
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas, United States Not yet recruiting -
Western Sydney University
Penrith, New South Wales, Australia Not yet recruiting -
Curtin University
Bently, Western Australia, Australia Not yet recruiting -
Erasmus University
Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michael Otto, PhD — Boston University
- Study coordinator: Michael Otto, PhD
- Email: mwotto@bu.edu
- Phone: 6173539610
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
See how language and general thinking networks help aphasia recovery
This study tests whether language and general cognitive networks contribute to language recovery after stroke in people with aphasia.
-
Cough Skill Training to Help Head and Neck Cancer Patients Recover Voluntary Cough
Researchers will test whether a handheld cough device-based training can help people with head and neck cancer improve their voluntary cough function.
-
Enhancing cognitive self-management to improve work and school outcomes in first-episode psychosis
This pilot study tests whether adding a cognitive self-management program to standard employment and education services helps young adults with first-episode psychosis find and stay in work or school.
-
Personalized music-guided walking for Parkinson’s disease
A 3-month, self-directed walking program using a digital, music-based device is tested to see if it improves walking quality, everyday walking, and walking automaticity for people with Parkinson’s disease.
-
Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation to Improve Gait and Brain Function in Alzheimer's Disease
A rhythm-based metronome approach is being tested to see if it helps people with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment walk more smoothly and think more clearly.
-
Word Learning in Bilingual Toddlers: How Meaning and Parent Input Help Describe Early Vocabulary
This study tests how two word-learning categories (animals and clothing) and parent language input influence how bilingual toddlers pick up new words.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.