Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) is a prevalent issue among adolescents, often leading to long-term social anxiety if left untreated. A recent study, titled Virtual reality exposure therapy for adolescents with fear of public speaking: a non-randomized feasibility and pilot study, explores an innovative approach to addressing PSA through Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET). This blog will discuss how practitioners can leverage the findings from this study to enhance therapeutic outcomes for children.
Key Findings from the Study
The study involved 27 adolescents aged 13-16 who underwent a 90-minute VRET session designed to reduce PSA. The results were promising:
- Significant reduction in PSA symptoms (Cohen’s d = 1.53) from pre- to post-treatment.
- Improvements were maintained at 1- and 3-month follow-ups.
- Feasibility of the intervention was high, with positive feedback from participants.
Implementing VRET in Practice
Based on the study's outcomes, here are some practical steps for practitioners looking to implement VRET:
- Invest in Low-Cost VR Equipment: The study utilized affordable VR hardware, making it accessible for most therapeutic settings.
- Develop Age-Appropriate VR Scenarios: Custom-built VR stimuli that depict familiar environments, such as classrooms, can enhance the realism and effectiveness of the therapy.
- Conduct Brief Psychoeducation: A short introduction to the CBT model of anxiety can help adolescents understand the treatment rationale.
- Structured Exposure Tasks: Use a series of speech exercises with varying difficulty levels to gradually expose adolescents to public speaking scenarios.
- Monitor Physiological Responses: Collecting heart rate data can provide objective measures of anxiety levels and help tailor the exposure tasks.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides a solid foundation, further research is essential to optimize VRET for PSA. Future studies could explore:
- Comparing VRET with traditional in vivo exposure therapy.
- Examining long-term outcomes over a more extended follow-up period.
- Investigating the effectiveness of self-guided VRET sessions.
By integrating these findings into clinical practice, practitioners can significantly improve outcomes for adolescents struggling with PSA. For more detailed insights, please read the original research paper, Virtual reality exposure therapy for adolescents with fear of public speaking: a non-randomized feasibility and pilot study.
