Enhancing Generalization of Virtual Reality Exposure for Public Speaking Anxiety
Enhancing Generalization of Virtual Reality Exposure for Public Speaking Anxiety Via Imagery-Based Extinction Memory Updating: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Philipps University Marburg
48 participants
Nov 26, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
This randomized controlled trial examines whether imagery-based extinction memory updating following a standardized virtual reality (VR) exposure session improves the generalization of exposure effects to novel public speaking contexts. Individuals with elevated public speaking anxiety will complete a single-session VR speech exposure. Participants are randomized to (a) standard mental rehearsal of the exposure experience or (b) mental rehearsal plus guided imagery that updates the extinction memory with novel, non-exposed contexts. Generalization is assessed 7-14 days later using a multi-context behavioral approach test (BAT) in vivo and in VR.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria2
- speech anxiety scale score of ≥ 18 on the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension, Public Speaking Subscale (PRCA-PS)
- Self-report of 18 - 70 years of age
Exclusion Criteria1
- \-
Interventions
6 VR speech exposure trials (3 min each; topic: "something you are proud of")
Post-exposure guided imagery: vivid mental rehearsal of the same exposure experience in the same VR contexts (brief, ≤30s each)
Post-exposure guided imagery: vivid rehearsal of the exposure experience while updating the extinction memory with novel, non-exposed contexts (e.g., speaking to three real listeners; speaking in a new VR context with a larger audience). Brief, ≤30s each
Locations(1)
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NCT07323498