Effects of Public Speaking Practices With Immersive Virtual Reality on Performance and Anxiety

• In Event: Immersive Technology and Learning

Abstract

The current study investigated the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based repeated public speaking practices on public speaking anxiety and performance in simulated public speaking settings. A total of ten participants (five first-year medical students, three fellows, one nurse, and one biomedical researcher) were recruited from a medical school in Korea. A single-group design with repeated measures was employed in this study. Two self-reported anxiety surveys, a performance evaluation rubric and an anxiety evaluation rubric for observational data, real-time Heart Rate Variability (HRV) for anxiety, and a semi-structured interview protocol were used to collect data. The results of quantitative data analysis reveal the intervention significantly improved participants’ performance and reduced their anxiety levels. The interview confirmed the same benefits.

Authors

• Sejung Kwon, Emory University
  Presenting Author

• Hye Won Jang, Sungkyunkwan University
  Presenting Author

• Ikseon Choi, Emory University
  Presenting Author