Actively Recruiting
Virtual Reality as a Tool for Training Public Speaking Skills in Higher Education Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Led by University of Liege · Updated on 2026-02-06
80
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of Liege
Lead Sponsor
F
Fonds pour la Recherche Scientifique (FRS-FNRS)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Public speaking is a vital skill for students, but many feel anxious and uncomfortable speaking in front of others. This anxiety can affect how well they communicate, including their voice and speech flow, which may impact their academic and professional success. Training to improve public speaking skills, especially in realistic settings, is important but can be challenging for professionals who teach these skills. This study evaluates whether training that includes virtual reality (VR) simulations can help students develop better oral communication skills. Researchers will compare participants who receive the VR-based training with those on a wait-list to see if there are improvements in speech patterns and confidence. Participants will first attend a one-hour session providing general advice on public speaking. Then, those in the experimental group will take part in three one-hour sessions over three weeks that include voice and fluency training combined with VR practice. The control group will wait for three weeks before receiving the same training. Data will be collected at three points: before training starts, immediately after the training for the experimental group (and before training for the control group), and three weeks after the training ends for both groups. During the study, participants will be evaluated on aspects like the number of filled pauses, speech rate, vocal intonation, and their confidence in public speaking. Researchers will also assess participants' self-reported anxiety, physiological signs of anxiety, confidence as speakers, and perceived vocal effort at each time point. The study aims to understand how VR-supported training affects these outcomes and will monitor participants throughout the seven-week period, including follow-up after the training sessions.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Virtual Reality as a Tool for Training Public Speaking Skills in Higher Education Students
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Higher education student
- Speak French fluently
- Aged between 20 and 30 years
You will not qualify if you...
- Hearing impairment
- Voice or fluency disorder at the time of the study
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - 1 session
Participants receive a 1-hour session of general advice about public speaking.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 3 weeks
Participants receive three 1-hour sessions of voice and fluency training with virtual reality practice over a period of 3 weeks.
3 sessions over 3 weeks
Duration - 3 weeks
Participants in the wait-list control group wait for 3 weeks before starting the direct method training.
Duration - 3 weeks
Wait-list control participants receive three 1-hour sessions of voice and fluency training with virtual reality practice over a period of 3 weeks.
3 sessions over 3 weeks
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Liege
Liège, Liège, Belgium, 4000
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
2
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