2020 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Public Speaking Phobia Reduction for Japanese University Students through Virtual Reality-based Training and Exposure to Simulated Audiences
| Project/Area Number |
19K13266
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| Research Institution | Aichi Prefectural University |
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Principal Investigator |
ブルノティ ジョシュ 愛知県立大学, 公私立大学の部局等, 准教授 (50816105)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
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| Keywords | virtual reality / exposure therapy / public speaking anxiety / mindfulness / CBT |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
All materials creation and ethics review procedures for the second year of this program were completed during the spring and summer of 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all contact with participants was moved online. Participant recruitment and data collection we done in the fall of 2020. The second year of this study used an updated, improved methodology based on the findings of the first year. Some anxiety-measuring instruments were replaced, as focus shifted from language-based anxiety to purely public speaking anxiety and how it could be targeted. Many of the methods from the first year were repeated to attempt a replication of the first year's findings, including: 1. psycho-education about anxiety, panic, and cognitive distortions, 2. use of exposure training for speech acts using imaginal and virtual reality-based training, 3. mindfulness training, and 4. presentation skills training. The significant anxiety reduction related to public speaking was replicated in the second year, supporting similar findings from the first year of the program. Participant interviews also demonstrated that students found the program to be effective at helping to reduce their anxiety, and learned skills they wanted to continue developing for the future. Similar to the first year, a lack of difference between the imaginal practice group and virtual reality group was found, as both groups reduced their anxiety to similar significant degrees. These findings show that instructors may find success in reducing student presentation anxiety using technological and non-technological means.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
This research is progressing at the pace that was planned within the initial research proposal for this first and second years of study. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing the program to shift from an in-person to an online format, this was done rather smoothly due to the researcher's familiarity with Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and the hard work of the host institution in working with the researcher to get required equipment to the participants in a safe manner. The second year of data collection was successful despite these hurtles, and in fact demonstrated that public speaking anxiety reduction programs such as this may be done online with similarly successful results. Data analysis for the results of the first year of the program have now been completed, with results from the second year of the study being mostly analyzed as well. At this pace, the final year of the study should be able to begin on time in either a live or online format, depending on the circumstances in the fall of 2021.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
With the successful results in terms of public speaking anxiety reduction found in the first two years of this study, the final year of the program (2021) will be dedicated to further improving the methodology and data collection measures, replicating earlier findings, and hopefully branching out into new areas as well. In addition to running a third year of the presentation anxiety reduction program, I would also like to add an element of 360-degree recording of participant speech acts, allowing for participants to watch and analyze their performances using virtual reality. The ability to carry out this portion of the program will depend largely on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic this fall and the ability to safely use VR equipment in person with participants.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic travel during the 2020 was avoided, and therefore no costs were incurred related to travel. Presentations related to the study were done during online academic conferences. Extra funds carried over into the 2021 academic year will be used to possibly increase the number of participants or to travel if the COVID-19 related restrictions are loosened.
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