NCT07051135

HablaRÉ: Self-applied Online Training for Correcting Emotional Reasoning Biases in Public Speaking Anxiety.

HablaRÉ: Self-applied Online Training for Correcting Emotional Reasoning Biases in Public Speaking Anxiety. A Feasibility, Non-randomised Pilot Study.

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universitat Jaume I · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Conditions

• Public Speaking Anxiety

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	"HablaRÉ": Emotional Reasoning bias correction training	The "HablaRÉ" bias correction training for Emotional Reasoning consists of ten online, self-administered sessions that last no more than 30 minutes each. These courses include practice tasks in addition to textual and audio-visual content. The explanation of ER bias, motivation to change, emotional psychoeducation, and the distinction between emotionally biassed and objective information are all addressed.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-01
• Primary completion: 2025-07-01
• Completion: 2025-09-01
• First posted: 2025-07-03
• Last updated: 2025-07-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain