Virtual Reality Intervention for Speech Anxiety

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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The Influence of Mood on Response to Virtual Reality-Based Exposure for Public Speaking Anxiety

Conditions
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Public Speaking, Speech Anxiety

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Exposure intervention plus positive mood induction
* Behavioral: Exposure intervention plus negative mood induction


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Positive Mood Induction via positive film clips<br>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. | Behavioral: Exposure intervention plus positive mood induction<br>* Positive mood induction followed by a brief VR exposure session for public speaking anxiety.<br>|
| Experimental: Negative Mood Induction via negative film clips<br>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. | Behavioral: Exposure intervention plus negative mood induction<br>* Negative mood induction followed by a brief VR exposure session for public speaking anxiety.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Public Speaking Anxiety | Assessed using the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension, Public Speaking Subscale (PRCA-PS) | Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from post-treatment, approximately 2 week post-screen | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Valence | Self-report measure of how participant feels about having to give a speech | Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from follow up survey, 1 week post-exposure | 
| Social Phobia | Assessed using the social phobia inventory (SPIN) | Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from follow up survey, 1 week post-exposure | 
| Public Speaking Anxiety | Assessed using the PRCA-PS | Comparison of pre-exposure scores to scores from follow up survey, 1 week post-exposure |