Virtual Reality Training
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PRESS RELEASE FROM:

Dr. Dennis Becker, The Speech Improvement Company., Inc.
Dr. Max M. North, Virtual Reality Technology Laboratory

Virtual Reality: A "Real" Cure for the Fear of Public Speaking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The fear of speaking is often cited as the world's most common social phobia. This communication disorder is frequently identified among the top five most prevalent phobias of any kind. It does not appear to be limited by age, gender, economic or educational variables. Until this time, traditional treatment has included systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring and skills building.

Current advances made through the use of computer display technology and the work of researchers in Atlanta and Boston are responsible for the creation of virtual reality technology for use in treating the fear of public speaking and other psychological disorders. In Atlanta, Dr. Max M. North, Dr. Sarah M. North and Dr. Joseph R. Coble are pioneers in virtual reality technology and its application to virtual reality therapy. Their technical advancements have been combined with the work of Dr. Dennis Becker of THE SPEECH IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, INC. in Boston. Research is being conducted in the Virtual Reality Technology Laboratory at Clark Atlanta University.

This is the first known controlled study of the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in the treatment of subjects who suffer from fear of speaking. Additional support was provided by Clark Atlanta University, U.S. Army Research Laboratories, and Boeing Computer Services. This first-of-it's-kind collaboration of cutting edge technology and time-tested traditional treatments is producing far reaching benefits which will have a positive impact on clinical and non-clinical treatment sessions for sufferers of the fear of public speaking. Additionally, the general population will benefit from virtual reality research as this new technology provides a safe, confidential and economic approach to the treatment of psychological disorders.

Current plans are to expand the research to a wider population and to extend the test site at the Virtual Reality Technology Laboratory in Atlanta to THE SPEECH IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, INC. offices in Boston. This will allow for the first known application of virtual reality therapy technology in a non-laboratory controlled setting with measurement in the real world. Subjects who participate in the research are recruited from Clark Atlanta University Introductory Psychology classes. Following an extensive two-stage screening process, subjects are selected from the pool. They are assigned to two treatment conditions: virtual reality therapy and a control group. Subject speakers are placed in front of a virtual auditorium which gradually fills with virtual people. Simulation of room and crowd noise, including laughter, commentary and applause is created and experienced as part of the treatment sessions.

The treatment schedule consists of eight weekly sessions. The sessions last 10-15 minutes. Based on current success records, alternative treatment regimens are being considered. The symptoms experienced by the subjects during virtual reality therapy mirror those which most speakers experience during a speech to a town meeting or presentation at a business conference. They include an increase in heart rate, lump in the throat, dry mouth, sweaty palms, loss of balance, weakness in the knees, etc.

Two assessment measurements are used. The first measure is the ATTITUDE TOWARD PUBLIC SPEAKING (ATPS) questionnaire which contains 6 items for assessment with a 0-10 semantic differential scale. The second measure is an 11-point SUBJECTIVE UNITS OF DISTURBANCE (SUD) scale.

This study of the fear of public speaking indicates that virtual reality therapy is very effective in reducing self-reported anxiety. The virtual reality therapy treatment results in both a significant reduction of anxiety symptoms (SUD and ATPS measurements) and the ability to face phobic situations in the real world. Treated subject speakers now report the ability to speak comfortably in front of a crowd with better confidence.

Research for treating phobia through the use of virtual reality began at Clark Atlanta University in 1992. Many studies have been made by the virtual reality treatment research team. In 1996, the team was awarded the prestigious CYBEREDGE Award for the best virtual reality project of the year.

Dr. Dennis Becker, THE SPEECH IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, INC. 1614 Beacon Street Boston (Brookline), MA 02146 Telephone: (617) 739-3330, e-mail: dennis@speechimprovement.com

Dr. Max M. North, Pioneer of Virtual Reality Therapy Computer Science and Information Systems, Kennesaw State University Telephone: 770-420-4442, Fax: 770-423-6731, e-mail: Max@acm.org