Online Psychotherapy for Emotional Reasoning Bias in Public Speaking Anxiety

Among anxiety disorders, one of the most common is Social Anxiety Disorder. Particularly, the specific subtype performance only, i.e., public speaking anxiety, has a prevalence rate of 33% in community samples, being one of the disorders that cause major occupational, educational and social interferences, which represent a high impact on daily functioning. Several cognitive factors may prevent patients from correcting negative thinking; one is the Emotional Reasoning bias. Therefore, in the present study, the aim is to implement training for correcting Emotional Reasoning biases as a transdiagnostic process in people with public speaking anxiety. Regarding implementation and dissemination, it is proposed that this treatment be Internet-based and delivered through information and communication technologies (ICT). To evaluate the effects of this intervention, a randomized controlled trial will be conducted, comparing two arms, an experimental group to which the bias correction training will be applied and a control group, to which a non-specific intervention will be used. A total of 158 participants based on calculations with the G\*Power program will be randomly allocated to an intervention group (N=79) and a control group (N=79). Bias correction training consists of 12 daily self-applied sessions in which components such as psychoeducation in emotions and the detection of ER biases and their impact on behavior are targeted. The primary outcome measure will be Emotional reasoning bias severity and symptomatology associated with public speaking anxiety. Secondary outcome measures will be the severity of depressive and anxious symptomatology, quality of life, usability, and perceived acceptance of participants. Individuals will be assessed thrice: at baseline, post-treatment, and 3-month follow-up. Data will be analyzed both per protocol and intention-to-treat. This study will pioneer this type of intervention by bringing together an underdeveloped concept with implementing new technologies. It is intended to increase our knowledge about treatments administered through the Internet and will contribute to improving the dissemination of treatments.