VR therapy takes on stage fright in massive student trial

NCT ID NCT06593847

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Boston University Charles River Campus Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This completed study tested whether one virtual reality (VR) session could help reduce public speaking anxiety in 1,542 college students. Participants gave a speech in VR after either a positive or negative mood boost. Researchers measured anxiety levels and looked at whether traits like optimism predicted better results. The goal is to understand who benefits most from VR exposure therapy for speech nerves.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: virtual reality exposure therapy
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that a single VR session helps reduce speech anxiety, pointing toward a quick, accessible treatment option.
What could go wrong: This is a completed study, but it tests only one session and focuses on predicting outcomes, not proving long-term effectiveness. Results may not apply to everyone with speech anxiety.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Glossophobia social phobia Speech

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

PUBLIC SPEAKING SPEECH ANXIETY

Contacts and locations

Locations

Albright College

Reading, Pennsylvania, 19604, United States
Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
Curtin University

Bently, Western Australia, 6102, Australia
Erasmus University

Rotterdam, South Holland, 3062 PA, Netherlands
Philipps-Universität Marburg

Marburg, Hesse, 35037, Germany
Southern Illinois University

Carbondale, Illinois, 62901, United States
Tufts University

Boston, Massachusetts, 02155, United States
University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona, 85721, United States
University of Hong Kong

Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
University of New South Wales

Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
University of Texas at Austin

Austin, Texas, 78712, United States
Utrecht University

Utrecht, 3584 CS, Netherlands
Western Sydney University

Penrith, New South Wales, 2751, Australia