SpeakApp-Kids! Virtual reality training to reduce fear of public speaking in children–A proof of concept
Open accessAbstract
Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is a promising tool to reduce public speaking anxiety in adults, while treatment and prevention of public speaking anxiety in children has been largely neglected. We examined whether repeated brief exposures to a virtual audience embedded in a prototype of the Virtual Reality (VR) SpeakApp-Kids! helped to reduce (1) self-reported state anxiety during three public speaking practice sessions, (2) state anxiety during the actual presentation that followed, and (3) general public speaking anxiety from the first practice session until after the actual presentation in children aged 9–12 years ( n = 40). First, we found a decrease in state anxiety during the first two practice sessions. Also in line with our expectations, pupils in the SpeakApp-Kids! condition reported lower state anxiety during the actual presentation than the control (at home) condition ( n = 49). Finally, we found a larger decrease in general public speaking anxiety from the first practice session until one week after the actual presentation for the SpeakApp-Kids! condition, as compared to the control children preparing their presentations as usual. Taking limitations into account, this VR SpeakApp-Kids! is a promising tool to be developed further as it has potential to serve as an educational tool for speech practice and thereby reducing public speaking anxiety. More importantly, it has potential to prevent public speaking anxiety from developing in the first place.
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Some studies have specifically adapted and successfully applied VRET for adolescents with anxiety.
“some studies have specifically adapted and successfully applied VRET for adolescents with anxiety (Kahlon et al., 2019; Sülter et al., 2022).”
From Virtual Reality exposure therapy in the treatment of public speaking anxiety and social anxiety disorder (2024) · cites this paper as Sülter et al., 2022
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Subgroups based on fears of evaluation exhibited different social anxiety levels
Zhang, Y., Chen, J., Liao, H., Zhou, L., Zhang, H., Tang, Y., Huang, A., Turel, O., Wu, Y., & He, Q. (2025) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-024-06454-z · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Outreach Program, Virtual Reality, dan Berpikir Hipotetikal Deduktif
Robi’in, B., Erviana, V. Y., & Sulisworo, D. (2022) · Bincang Sains dan Teknologi · doi:10.56741/bst.v1i01.46 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Liu, H. (2024) · Applied Mathematics and Nonlinear Sciences · doi:10.2478/amns-2024-2630 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Rasiman, N. B., Salamung, N., Elmiyanti, N. K., Rumbo, H., Sari, A. N. I., & Purwaningsih, D. F. (2023) · JURNAL KREATIVITAS PENGABDIAN KEPADA MASYARAKAT (PKM) · doi:10.33024/jkpm.v6i2.8390 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Stage Fright Scale – Children & Youth: Development and Validation of a New Questionnaire
Jaros, K., & Gajda, A. (2023) · Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment · doi:10.1177/07342829231219785 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Using 360 VR Videos in Presentation Rehearsals: Comparing Anxiety Levels
Huang, H.-W., Cai, S., Li, Y., & Dusza, D. G. (2023) · International Conference on Computer Science and Technologies in Education (CSTE) · doi:10.1109/cste59648.2023.00048 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“, 2022 [11]) to assess fear of negative evaluation.”
BackgroundThe VR Therapy platform for social anxiety treatment
Bartyna, W., & Stępniak, M. (2023) · Studia Informatica System and information technology · doi:10.34739/si.2023.29.02 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“The appropriate use of these two elements (action and stylized graphics) should increase the quality of the sessions carried out and the speed with which positive results are achieved compared to the use of static, photo-realistic images alone (see SpeakApp-Kids [21] for reference).”
BackgroundVirtual Reality as a Tool in the Treatment of Claustrophobia - A Review
Iparraguirre-Villanueva, O., Perez-Benito, C., & Cabanillas-Carbonell, M. (2023) · International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology · doi:10.14445/22315381/ijett-v71i8p225 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Using Virtual Reality Learning Environments to Improve Success for Online Students
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Алексеева, О. В., Александрова, Н. В., & Скворцова, Т. П. (2022) · Pedagogical Review · doi:10.23951/2307-6127-2022-4-16-24 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Так, в Нидерландах разработали специальное приложение «SpeakApp-Kids!», с помощью которого школьники могли быстро избавиться от страха публичных выступлений [12].”
The Main Causes of English for Occupational Purposes Students (EOP) Speaking Anxiety
Irawan, R. (2023) · JEdu Journal of English Education · doi:10.30998/jedu.v3i1.8471 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
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Jaros, K. (2024) · Journal of Voice · doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2024.05.002
Technology Use in the Treatment of Pediatric Anxiety
Kalmus, S. L., Jardine, P. H., Stevens, S., Ellington, E. E., & Smith-Schrandt, H. L. (2026) · Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services · doi:10.3928/02793695-20260306-01
Simsek, B., Direkçi, B., Koparan, B., Gülmez, M., Akbulut, S., Şimşek, E., & Kayır, G. (2026) · Frontiers in Education · doi:10.3389/feduc.2026.1782286
Zhang, T., Zhu, Y., Tan, J., Wu, B., & Zheng, C. (2026) · Information Fusion · doi:10.1016/j.inffus.2026.104537
Dogioiu, D.-I., Morar, A., Moldoveanu, A. D. B., Anghel, A. M., & Berceanu, A. I. (2026) · Information · doi:10.3390/info17080741
Quevedo-Bayona, I., Llamazares, M. D. C. E., Martínez-Martín, M. Á., & González, A. L. O. (2026) · Nexus Multidisciplinary Research Journal · doi:10.66615/xj1tdf26
- Authors
- Sülter, R. E., Ketelaar, P. E., & Lange, W.-G.
- Affiliations
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Sülter, Robin E.
- Venue
- Computers & Education
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2022-03
- Volume
- 178
- Pages
- 104384
- ISSN
- 0360-1315 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3217078953
- Cited by
- 52
- References
- 57
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 8
- FWCI
- 5.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Computers & Education (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Communication in Education and Healthcare
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- virtual reality exposure therapy, public speaking anxiety, children, state anxiety, virtual audience, anxiety prevention, speech practice
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