Virtual reality could cure stage fright in just one session
NCT ID NCT06214039
First seen Jul 09, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether virtual reality (VR) can help young adults with public speaking anxiety. Participants receive either one or three sessions of VR exposure therapy, followed by a 4-week online program. The goal is to see if a single VR session works as well as multiple sessions for reducing fear of public speaking.
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 and text-based cognitive behavioral therapy
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this could offer a quick, accessible treatment option for public speaking anxiety using virtual reality.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage study with only 37 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The therapy may not work for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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37 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Feb 2024
- Finished
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Apr 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 30 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * aged 18-30 and pursuing higher education; * experiencing a significant level of public speaking anxiety (60+ on PSAS); * able to use a computer and have access to the internet for the duration of the study; * able to understand, write and speak in Lithuanian; * available to participate in one or three in-person intervention sessions and can devote the time to participate in a 4-week online program following the intervention sessions. Exclusion Criteria: * a history of seizures or a history of epilepsy; * other significant medical conditions that would prevent them from participating in the program; * high levels of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 rating of 15 and above and mentions of suicidal ideation) or other significant psychiatric conditions that would interfere with participation in the program; * a tendency to have extreme seasickness reactions or a history of adverse physical reactions to virtual reality experiences or difficulty with or lack of stereoscopic vision; * current involvement in other psychological interventions such as psychological counseling or psychotherapy; * use of psychoactive drugs, unless stable for three months; * current participation in other programs aimed at reducing public speaking anxiety.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Vilnius University
Vilnius, Lithuania, LT-01513, Lithuania
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.