Enhancing Generalization of Virtual Reality Exposure for Public Speaking Anxiety

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.

NCT Number	NCT07323498
Lead Sponsor	Philipps University Marburg
Conditions	Public Speaking Anxiety, Public Speaking Fear
Enrollment	48 participants
Start Date	2025-11-26
Primary Completion	2026-11 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-12 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-01-09