Overview
The project aims to assess the feasibility of self-administered training for individuals with public speaking anxiety, specifically targeting the reduction of emotional reasoning bias. It seeks to evaluate the interventions' usability, acceptability, satisfaction and adherence/compliance rates. In addition, the study intends to determine the feasibility of conducting a potential randomised clinical trial to evaluate the true impact of the intervention on emotional reasoning biases and public speaking anxiety levels.
Description
Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA), manifests as intense fear in public speaking or performance contexts, and while it is commonly seen in individuals with SAD, it can also occur independently. Studies show that 97% of individuals with SAD experience PSA, with approximately 40% suffering from severe PSA. PSA is associated with significant distress and detrimental effects on work, education, and social life. Several interventions, grounded in cognitive-behavioural principles, such as exposure therapies, have been proven effective in treating PSA, with both traditional and technology-based therapies demonstrating significant improvements in reducing anxiety and enhancing coping behaviours.
Despite the effectiveness of these treatments, relapse, non-improvement, or treatment discontinuation remain significant challenges. Comorbidity, affecting over 75% of individuals with affective disorders, worsens treatment outcomes and suggests the potential benefit of addressing transdiagnostic factors such as Emotional Reasoning (ER), a cognitive bias where individuals make judgements based on emotional responses rather than objective facts. Although ER has been targeted in interventions for spider phobia, no specific treatment for ER in PSA exists. The present study seeks to develop and assess the feasibility of "HablaRÉ" an intervention aimed at correcting ER biases in PSA patients. The study will evaluate the intervention's usability, acceptability, adherence, and its potential for a randomised clinical trial to determine its impact on ER bias and PSA levels.
A total of 30 participants will undergo training consisting of 10 self-administered daily sessions in which components such as psychoeducation on emotions and the detection of ER biases and their impact on behaviour.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Be of legal age.
- Accept the informed consent.
- Adequately understand/read Spanish.
- Have access to a mobile device or computer with an Internet connection.
- Not receiving any other psychological treatment for public speaking anxiety during the study period.
- Have a score of 43 or higher on the Emotional reasoning scale (ERPSAS) AND/OR a score of 55 or higher on the Spanish version of the Public Speaking Anxiety Scale (PSAS-S) for fear of public speaking.
- If taking prescribed medication for anxiety/depression, have had no changes in dosage for at least one month before the procedure.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Not accepting the informed consent.
- Being a minor.
- Having a severe mental disorder (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders) or substance abuse (alcohol or other substances) or having active suicidal plans (suicide item in the ODSIS depression questionnaire ≥ 2) that would prevent participation in the program.
- In the case of receiving medication, changes in medication during treatment will be evaluated but will not lead to exclusion.