Editing Glossophobia (section)

=== Psychotherapy ===
[[Cognitive behavioral therapy|Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)]] is a widely recognized and effective treatment for glossophobia, particularly when the condition is associated with social anxiety disorder. CBT focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns associated with public speaking anxiety, and replacing them with more positive and realistic beliefs. The approach often includes [[exposure therapy]], in which individuals confront feared social situations either through real-life exposure (in vivo) or imagined scenarios (in vitro), to reduce anxiety and improve their public speaking performance.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Kaplan |first1=Simona C. |title=Psychological Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder |date=2018-01-24 |encyclopedia=Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology |url=http://oxfordre.com/psychology/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.001.0001/acrefore-9780190236557-e-98 |access-date=2025-05-11 |publisher=Oxford University Press |language=en |doi=10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.013.98 |isbn=978-0-19-023655-7 |last2=Swee |first2=Michaela B. |last3=Heimberg |first3=Richard G.}}</ref> 

While CBT has demonstrated effectiveness, both in vivo and in vitro exposure methods can present challenges, such as high time and resource requirements, limited environmental control, and difficulties some individuals face in visualizing anxiety-provoking situations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Reeves |first1=Rachel |last2=Curran |first2=David |last3=Gleeson |first3=Amanda |last4=Hanna |first4=Donncha |date=2022-07-01 |title=A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Virtual Reality and In Vivo Exposure Therapy as Psychological Interventions for Public Speaking Anxiety |journal=Behavior Modification |language=EN |volume=46 |issue=4 |pages=937–965 |doi=10.1177/0145445521991102 |issn=0145-4455 |pmc=9158252 |pmid=33533265}}</ref> One study reported that CBT combined with [[Virtual reality therapy|virtual reality exposure]] significantly reduced public speaking anxiety, with improvements maintained at a three-month follow-up.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=Page L. |last2=Zimand |first2=Elana |last3=Hodges |first3=Larry F. |last4=Rothbaum |first4=Barbara O. |date=2005 |title=Cognitive behavioral therapy for public-speaking anxiety using virtual reality for exposure |url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16231290 |journal=Depression and Anxiety |volume=22 |issue=3 |pages=156–158 |doi=10.1002/da.20090 |issn=1091-4269 |pmid=16231290}}</ref> Another study found that while both CBT and VRCBT significantly reduced public speaking anxiety, twice as many clients dropped out of CBT (15) than from VRCBT (6).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Safir |first1=Marilyn P. |last2=Wallach |first2=Helene S. |last3=Bar-Zvi |first3=Margalit |date=2012-03-01 |title=Virtual Reality Cognitive-Behavior Therapy for Public Speaking Anxiety: One-Year Follow-Up |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0145445511429999 |journal=Behavior Modification |language=EN |volume=36 |issue=2 |pages=235–246 |doi=10.1177/0145445511429999 |issn=0145-4455}}</ref> 

==== '''[[Virtual reality exposure therapy|Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET)]]''' ====
As an alternative to in vivo and in vitro exposure therapy, VRET has emerged as an effective intervention for individuals experiencing glossophobia and it overcomes some of the limitations of traditional CBT. VRET simulates public speaking scenarios and evokes anxiety responses comparable to real-world experiences, enabling gradual [[Desensitization (psychology)|desensitization]] within a safe setting.

Recent technological advancements have enabled the development of self-guided and automated VRET platforms that do not require direct clinician involvement. Growing evidence supports the effectiveness of such approaches, where one study found that self-guided VRET produced similar reductions in public speaking anxiety compared to those achieved through therapist-led sessions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lindner |first1=Philip |last2=Miloff |first2=Alexander |last3=Fagernäs |first3=Simon |last4=Andersen |first4=Joel |last5=Sigeman |first5=Martin |last6=Andersson |first6=Gerhard |last7=Furmark |first7=Tomas |last8=Carlbring |first8=Per |date=2019-01-01 |title=Therapist-led and self-led one-session virtual reality exposure therapy for public speaking anxiety with consumer hardware and software: A randomized controlled trial |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618517306321 |journal=Journal of Anxiety Disorders |series=Virtual reality applications for the anxiety disorders |volume=61 |pages=45–54 |doi=10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.07.003 |pmid=30054173 |issn=0887-6185}}</ref>

Innovations in VRET design have focused on user engagement. Dr. Chris Macdonald from the University of Cambridge developed an open-access VR platform compatible with smartphones, headsets and laptops. The system immerses users in simulated speaking environments with gradual exposure to anxiety-inducing stimuli, ranging from small classrooms to large stadium with 10,000 highly-distracting virtual spectators. A single 30 minute session experiment with 29 adolescents reported a substantial reduction in public speaking anxiety using the VR platform.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Nicola |last2=correspondent |first2=Nicola Davis Science |date=2025-03-15 |title=Free online virtual reality tool helps people tackle public speaking nerves |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/mar/15/online-vr-tool-virtual-reality-public-speaking-nerves-anxiety?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=2025-05-11 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Macdonald |first=Chris |date=2024-12-16 |title=Improving virtual reality exposure therapy with open access and overexposure: a single 30-minute session of overexposure therapy reduces public speaking anxiety |journal=Frontiers in Virtual Reality |language=English |volume=5 |doi=10.3389/frvir.2024.1506938 |doi-access=free |issn=2673-4192}}</ref>

While most research on VRET for glossophobia has focused on adult populations, there are studys targeting adolescents, who may be less likely to seek formal treatment for anxiety-related issues. A gamified VRET program was developed specifically for teenagers, combining traditional exposure techniques with game elements such as rewards, goal-setting, and challenges to enhance engagement and reduce dropout rates. A pilot study found that this approach led to significant reductions in public speaking anxiety compared to a waitlist control group, highlighting the potential of gamification to enhance both engagement and treatment outcomes in teenagers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kahlon |first1=Smiti |last2=Lindner |first2=Philip |last3=Nordgreen |first3=Tine |date=2023-08-29 |title=Gamified virtual reality exposure therapy for adolescents with public speaking anxiety: a four-armed randomized controlled trial |journal=Frontiers in Virtual Reality |language=English |volume=4 |doi=10.3389/frvir.2023.1240778 |doi-access=free |issn=2673-4192|hdl=11250/3123045 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>