UnknownNot Applicable

VR-based Exposure Training for Adolescents With Fear of Public Speaking

Norway100 participantsStarted 2020-03-01

Plain-language summary

Public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a common anxiety with onset in adolescence and early adulthood. With the advent of consumer Virtual Reality (VR) technology, VR-delivered exposure therapy has previously been shown to be efficacious with adults. Virtual reality has existed for several decades, but it is only in the recent years it has become readily available. The new generation of off-the-shelf, consumer VR hardware, can revolutionize the design, availability and dissemination of VR therapist tools for exposure therapies. Importantly, there has been relatively little research on VR delivered exposure of anxiety in social situations compared to other anxiety disorders, presumably due to the complexity of the virtual stimuli required. There has been no study on VR delivered exposure specifically for adolescents until recently. A feasibility and pilot trial laying the foundation of the current study showed great potential in using VR for adolescents with PSA. The current study aims to investigate the efficacy of a self-guided VR intervention compared to a self-guided internet-delivered text-based intervention using a two-phased randomized design. Adolescents aged 13-16 will be invited to participate in the study

Who can participate

Age range

13 Years – 16 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: Inclusion: Aged 13-16, Symptoms of PSA, as defined by Public Speaking Anxiety Scale (PSAS) which leads to distress and / or negative consequences at school. Based on data from the feasibility study (Kahlon et.al 2019) the cut-off will be PSAS \< 55. \- Exclusion Criteria: Current ongoing treatment for mental health problems (psychoactive medication/psychotherapy) impaired eyesight and lack of stereoscopic vision which cause difficulties in the VR experience and balance problems \-

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in Public Speaking Anxiety Scale

Timeframe: 18 months

Trial details

NCT IDNCT04396392

SponsorHaukeland University Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2022-03-03

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