ITNOW's Popular Computer Science (or PopCompSci) brings the most exciting stories from around the world of computer science together for a taste of the unexpected ways in which tech is impacting our lives. Here, we tell you how a virtual reality headset that places speakers in front of a digital audience could help people overcome a fear of public speaking.
A team from Brunel University has used virtual reality (VR) to help support people with public speaking anxieties. Early indications are that the system, which places speakers in front of an interactive virtual audience of varying sizes, can help people overcome their fear.
Known as glossophobia, the fear of public speaking is a social anxiety disorder and is one of the world’s most common fears, affecting 75% of the population. The disorder can affect people both physically and psychologically and can result in a dry mouth, increased blood pressure, sweating and a fear of humiliation or embarrassment.
Speaking about the research specifically and also addressing how VR might help people overcome other fears, Dr Damon Daylamani-Zad, Senior Lecturer in Digital Media from Brunel University London, who worked on the project, said: ‘A patient can be gradually exposed to the scenario or environment they fear while being immersed in virtual reality.’
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
The system, called Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), is based on a study by researchers at Brunel University.
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The project involved asking participants between the ages of 19 and 25 to initially rate their public speaking anxiety. Speakers were then given a speech to practice and deliver while wearing a VR headset. The virtual environment places speakers in front of an audience of varying sizes and, importantly, whose avatar participants showed either engagement through looking at the speaker or disinterest by turning away. The speaker was also provided real-time feedback, eye contact and mannerisms.
Critically, for anybody subjected to overlong presentations, the trainee speakers also had a clock in their virtual eyeline. This was both to remind speakers to keep to time and to ensure that the presenter was looking in the direction of the audience.
Dr Daylamani-Zad believes that VRET could help anyone improve their public speaking skills, even confident public speakers with low speech anxiety levels. He said: ‘During the intervention, the group of participants who had low speech anxiety levels did not show as much improvement as the group with moderate to high anxiety levels, but they still showed improvements.’
