Fear of public speaking: the effects of a communicational improvement training on physiological parameters and the perception of communication.

Presentations to audiences are often seen as challenging by university students, causing physiological reactivity on cortisol levels and heart rate, for example. Many students perceive that they have difficulties expressing themselves or do not consider themselves to be good communicators. With the thought that efficient communication is able to bring well-being and more confidence, it is understood that a communication skills training could mitigate adverse effects on the body during public speaking. This study aimed to verify whether a communicational improvement training can improve physiological parameters and perception when speaking in public among university students. This was a prospective, blinded, controlled, and randomized trial. Students from colleges and universities were recruited for this study. Invitations were either in person or via social networks and/or e-mail. There were 39 university students who completed the tasks, ages between 18 and 30. There were two groups: the intervention group (IG) and control group (CG). The intervention group participated in a communicational improvement program for six weeks to work on breathing, articulation, speech rhythm, pneumophonoarticulatory coordination, expressiveness and non-verbal communication. Data of heart rate measures, salivary cortisol analysis, self-perception of public speaking, and presentation ratings were collected. The intervention group presented with lower heart rates and cortisol levels, better presentation ratings, and higher self-perception of public speaking than the control group after participating in the communication improvement training. In this study it was possible to verify the efficiency of a communicational improvement training, being able to improve cortisol levels, heart rate, and perception when speaking in public in university students. Based on the results presented, new studies are suggested: (a) measuring the individual effect of the workshops demonstrated here and (b) comparing this type of intervention with other types of treatment used in the health area (medication, psychotherapeutic, holistic, etc.).

Avaliação da ansiedade de estudantes de psicologia em situações experimentais de falar em público / Evaluation of anxiety in experimental situations of public speaking with psychology students / Evaluación de la ansiedad de estudiantes de psicología en situaciones experimentales de hablar en público

Resumo Durante o percurso no ensino superior, os universitários se deparam com diversas atividades acadêmicas de falar em público (como, por exemplo, apresentações de seminários), que podem ser fortes causadores de ansiedade e afetos negativos, implicando prejuízos significativos para o rendimento acadêmico dos alunos e seus respectivos contextos sociais. Objetivou-se comparar grupos com e sem plateia em relação ao grau de ansiedade vivenciada frente a uma situação experimental de falar em público. Participaram 72 estudantes de psicologia, que foram submetidos ao Teste de Simulação de Falar em Público e responderam ao Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck, Inventário de Habilidades Sociais, Escala de Auto-Avaliação ao Falar em Público e Questionário Sociodemográfico e Ocupacional. Verificou-se que o grupo com plateia apresentou uma redução significativa do nível de ansiedade geral, subjetiva e autonômica após o discurso. Além disso, constatou-se que quanto mais elaborado o repertório de habilidades sociais gerais e de falar em público de um universitário e mais positivas as autoavaliações frente a essa tarefa, menor foi o grau de ansiedade experimentado nessa situação. Sugerem-se novas pesquisas com maior número de universitários, provenientes de diferentes cursos universitários, que permitam examinar as associações entre habilidades sociais, autoavaliações ao falar em público e ansiedade social.

Abstract Throughout the course of higher education, college students are faced with a variety of academic public speaking activities (such as seminar presentations), which can be strong causes of anxiety and negative feelings, leading to significant damage to their academic performance and social contexts. It was aimed to compare groups with and without audience as to the level of anxiety experienced facing an experimental situation of public speaking. 72 psychology students were submitted to the Public Speaking Simulation Test and answered the Beck's Anxiety Inventory, Social Skills Inventory, Public Self Statements During Public Speaking Scale and Sociodemographic and Occupational Questionnaire. It was verified that the group with the audience presented a significant reduction of the level of general, subjective and autonomic anxiety after the speech. Besides, it was found that the more elaborate the general social skills and public speaking repertoire of a student were, as well as more positive self-assessments facing this task, the lower the degree of anxiety undergone in this situation. Further research is suggested with higher number of students, from different courses, allowing the examination and associations between social skills, self-assessment when public speaking and social anxiety.

Resumen Durante su camino en la enseñanza superior, los estudiantes universitarios enfrentan a diversas actividades académicas de hablar en público (como las presentaciones de seminarios), que pueden provocar ansiedad y afectos negativos, causándoles pérdidas significativas en el rendimiento académico y sus respectivos contextos sociales. Se objetivó comparar grupos con y sin audiencia en relación con el grado de ansiedad experimentado frente a una situación experimental de hablar en público. Participaron 72 estudiantes de psicología, que realizaron la Prueba de Simulación de Hablar en Público y respondieron al Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck, el Inventario de Habilidades Sociales, la Escala de Autoevaluación al Hablar en Público y el Cuestionario sociodemográfico y ocupacional. Se verificó que el grupo con audiencia presentó una reducción significativa del nivel de ansiedad general, subjetiva y autonómica después del discurso. Además, se constató que cuanto más elaborado el repertorio de habilidades sociales generales y de hablar en público de un universitario y más positivas las autoevaluaciones frente a esa tarea, menor fue el grado de ansiedad experimentado en la situación. Se sugieren nuevas investigaciones con más universitarios de diferentes cursos para examinar las asociaciones entre habilidades sociales, autoevaluaciones al hablar en público y ansiedad social.

Association between Social Skills, Sociodemographic Factors and Self-Statements during Public Speaking by University Students / Associação entre Habilidades Sociais, Fatores Sociodemográficos e Autoavaliações ao Falar em Público de Estudantes Universitários / Asociación entre Habilidades Sociales, Factores Sociodemográficos y Autoevaluaciones al Hablar en Público de Estudiantes Universitarios

Abstract Possessing a good repertoire of interpersonal skills and a good performance when speaking in public can be considered indispensable for the social and academic adaptation of college students. The aim was to characterize and compare the social skills repertoire of college students from different fields of study (the human, exact and biological sciences) and from different higher education institutions (public and private), and to investigate the associations between these abilities and their self-assessment about speaking in public. A total of 818 college students took part, who answered the Social Skills Inventory (IHS-Del-Prette), Self-Statements During Public Speaking Scale and a Socio-demographic and Occupational Questionnaire. The groups did not differ significantly in relation to their social skills' repertoire, with most of the participants (n = 432) having a below-average repertoire of abilities when compared to the normative group of the instrument. It was found that male college students and those who had a partner, a job or their own income, and direct contact with the public gave more positive self-assessments about speaking in public. The skills' classes of self-exposure to strangers and new situations, self-confidence in expressing positive feelings, conversation and social resourcefulness, self-control of aggressivity, and coping and self-confidence with risk, and having a vocational course were the variables that predicted a more positive self-assessment by college students about speaking in public.

Resumo Possuir um bom repertório de habilidades interpessoais e de desempenho ao falar em público pode ser considerado indispensável para a adaptação social e acadêmica dos universitários. Objetivou-se caracterizar e comparar o repertório de habilidades sociais de universitários provindos de diferentes áreas do conhecimento (humanas, exatas e biológicas) e instituições de ensino superior (pública e privada), bem como investigar as associações entre estas habilidades e as autoavaliações ao falar em público. Participaram 818 universitários, que responderam ao Inventário de Habilidades Sociais (IHS-Del-Prette), Escala de Auto-Avaliação ao Falar em Público e um Questionário Sociodemográfico e Ocupacional. Os grupos não diferiram significativamente quanto ao repertório de habilidades sociais, com a maioria dos participantes (n = 432) apresentando um repertório de habilidades abaixo da média em relação ao grupo normativo do instrumento. Verificou-se que os universitários do gênero masculino e aqueles que possuíam um companheiro, trabalho ou renda própria e contato direto com o público apresentavam autoavaliações ao falar em público mais positivas. As classes de habilidades de autoexposição a desconhecidos, autoafirmação na expressão de sentimento positivo, conversação e desenvoltura social, autocontrole da agressividade e enfrentamento e autoafirmação com risco e possuir um curso profissionalizante foram as variáveis preditoras de uma autoavaliação mais positiva dos universitários ao falar em público.

Resumen Poseer un buen repertorio de habilidades interpersonales y de desempeño al hablar en público puede ser considerado indispensable para la adaptación social y académica de los universitarios. Se objetivó caracterizar y comparar el repertorio de habilidades sociales de universitarios provenientes de diferentes áreas del conocimiento (humanas, exactas y biológicas) e instituciones de enseñanza superior (pública y privada), así como investigar las asociaciones entre estas habilidades y las autoevaluaciones al hablar en publico. Participaron 818 universitarios, que respondieron al Inventario de Habilidades Sociales (IHS-Del-Prette), Self Statements During Public Speaking Scale y un Cuestionario Sociodemográfico y Ocupacional. Los grupos no diferían significativamente en cuanto al repertorio de habilidades sociales, con la mayoría de los participantes (n = 432) presentando un repertorio de habilidades por debajo de la media en relación al grupo normativo del instrumento. Se comprobó que los universitarios masculinos y aquellos que tenían un compañero, trabajo, ingresos propios y contacto directo con el público, presentaban autoevaluaciones más positivas al momento de hablar en público. Los tipos de habilidades de autoexposicion a desconocidos, el reconocimiento en la expresión del sentimiento positivo, el diálogo y el desenvolvimiento social, el autocontrol de la agresividad y haber hecho un curso profesional, fueron las variables clave al momento de una auto evaluación positiva de los universitarios al hablar en público.

Behavioral Therapy and Virtual Reality Exposure for Public Speaking Anxiety / Terapia Comportamental e Exposição por Realidade Virtual para Ansiedade de Falar em Público / Terapia Comportamental y Exposición por Realidad Virtual para la Ansiedad de Hablar en Público

Abstract Virtual reality (VR) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. The effects of a behavioral intervention procedure that included exposure to VR, diaphragmatic breathing, differential reinforcement, and functional analysis of behavior of participants with public speaking anxiety were investigated. The Virtua Therapy simulator with an Oculus Rift® was used for VR exposure. Six university students participated in the procedure involving the following sequence of sessions: initial interview and baseline measures (3-5), intervention (6), closure (1), follow-up (2). In the baseline sessions, the participants gave a speech in a room without an audience (avatars): in the intervention sessions and follow-up they spoke in a classroom or auditorium with an audience, and verbal consequences (feedback) were provided for appropriate speech pitch and speed. Verbal and non-verbal measures of behaviors were recorded. In the intervention sessions, functional analyses of everyday public speaking situations were performed. There was statistically significant difference in the pre- and post-intervention data in the Self-Statements during Public Speaking Scale (improvement in self-evaluation) and improvement in speech quality. The conclusion was reached that the intervention procedure contributed to the reduction of anxiety.

Resumo A realidade virtual (RV) tem se mostrado eficaz no tratamento de transtornos de ansiedade. Os efeitos de um procedimento de intervenção comportamental que incluiu a exposição à RV, a respiração diafragmática, o reforço diferencial e a análise funcional de comportamentos de participantes com ansiedade de falar em público foram investigados. O simulador Virtua Therapy com um Oculus Rift® foi usado para a exposição à RV. Seis estudantes universitárias participaram do procedimento envolvendo a seguinte sequência de sessões: entrevista inicial e medidas de linha de base (3-5), intervenção (6), encerramento (1), acompanhamento (2). Nas sessões de linha de base, as participantes faziam um discurso em uma sala sem audiência (avatares): em sessões de intervenção e follow-up, elas discursavam em sala de aula ou auditório com audiência, sendo liberadas consequências verbais (feedback) para altura e velocidade apropriadas da fala. Medidas verbais e não verbais dos comportamentos foram registradas. Nas sessões de intervenção, eram realizadas análises funcionais de situações cotidianas de falar em público. Verificou-se diferença estatisticamente significativa nos dados pré e pós-intervenção na Self-Statements during Public Speaking Scale (melhora na autoavaliação) e melhora na qualidade dos discursos. Concluiu-se que o procedimento de intervenção contribuiu para a redução da ansiedade.

Resumen La realidad virtual (RV) se ha mostrado eficaz en el tratamiento de trastornos de ansiedad. Se investigaron los efectos de un procedimiento de intervención comportamental que incluyó exposición a la RV, respiración diafragmática, refuerzo diferencial y análisis funcional de comportamientos de participantes con ansiedad de hablar en público. El simulador Virtua Therapy con un Oculus Rift® se utilizó para la exposición a la RV. Seis estudiantes universitarios participaron del procedimiento con la siguiente secuencia de sesiones: entrevista inicial y línea-de-base (3-5), intervención (6), cierre (1), follow-up (2). En las sesiones de línea-de-base, las participantes hacían un discurso en una sala sin audiencia (avatares): en las sesiones de intervención y follow-up ellas discursaban en sala de aula o auditorio con audiencia, siendo liberadas consecuencias verbales (feedback) para altura y velocidad apropiadas del discurso. Las medidas verbales y no verbales de los comportamientos se registraron. En las sesiones de intervención, se realizaron análisis funcionales de situaciones cotidianas de hablar en público. Se verificó diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los datos pre y post-intervención en la Self-Statements durante Public Speaking Scale (mejora de la autoevaluación) y mejora en la calidad de los discursos. Se concluyó que el procedimiento de intervención contribuyó a la reducción de la ansiedad.

Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test

Objective: Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the non-psychotomimetic compounds of Cannabis sativa, causes anxiolytic-like effects in animals, with typical bell-shaped dose-response curves. No study, however, has investigated whether increasing doses of this drug would also cause similar curves in humans. The objective of this study was to compare the acute effects of different doses of CBD and placebo in healthy volunteers performing a simulated public speaking test (SPST), a well-tested anxiety-inducing method. Method: A total of 57 healthy male subjects were allocated to receive oral CBD at doses of 150 mg (n=15), 300 mg (n=15), 600 mg (n=12) or placebo (n=15) in a double-blind procedure. During the SPST, subjective ratings on the Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) and physiological measures (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate) were obtained at six different time points. Results: Compared to placebo, pretreatment with 300 mg of CBD significantly reduced anxiety during the speech. No significant differences in VAMS scores were observed between groups receiving CBD 150 mg, 600 mg and placebo. Conclusion: Our findings confirm the anxiolytic-like properties of CBD and are consonant with results of animal studies describing bell-shaped dose-response curves. Optimal therapeutic doses of CBD should be rigorously determined so that research findings can be adequately translated into clinical practice.

Estudo experimental do falar em público com e sem plateia em universitários / Experimental study of public speaking with and without audience in undergraduates / Estudio experimental de hablar en público con y sin audiencia en estudiantes universitarios

Objetivou-se comparar a frequência dos marcadores comportamentais de ansiedade entre grupos com e sem plateia, frente à situação experimental do falar em público. Participaram ao todo 72 universitários, que responderam ao Teste de Simulação de Falar em Público (TSFP), Inventário de Habilidades Sociais (IHS-Del-Prette), Self Statements During Public Speaking Scale (SPSS) e Questionário Sociodemográfico e Ocupacional. Os grupos diferiram significativamente em relação à maioria dos marcadores comportamentais de ansiedade, avaliados por meio do Protocolo de Registro do Falar em Público (PRFP), com médias de frequências superiores para o grupo com plateia. Constatou-se, ainda, que quanto mais elaborado o repertório de habilidades sociais de um universitário, mais positivamente ele avaliará o seu próprio desempenho em situações de falar em público. Sugerem-se novas pesquisas com maior número de universitários, com diferentes níveis de ansiedade social, que permitam examinar as associações entre habilidades sociais, autoavaliações ao falar em público e ansiedade social. (AU)

This study aimed to compare the frequency of behavioral markers of anxiety between groups with and without an audience, against an experimental situation of public speaking. A total of 72 undergraduates participated, who responded to the Public Speaking Simulation Test, (TSFP), the Social Skills Inventory (IHS-Del-Prette), the Self Statements During Public Speaking Scale (SPSS), and the Sociodemographic and Occupational Questionnaire. The groups differed significantly considering most of the behavioral markers of anxiety, evaluated by the Public Speaking Register Protocol (PRFP), with higher frequency rates in the group with an audience. It was also found that the more elaborate is the social skills repertoire of an undergraduate, the more positive was his self-evaluation of his own performance in public speaking situations. It is suggested further research with a larger number of undergraduates with different levels of social anxiety, in order to allow the analysis of association between social skills, self-assessments when speaking in public, and social anxiety. (AU)

Se trató de comparar la frecuencia de los indicadores comportamentales de ansiedad entre los grupos participantes con y sin platea, frente a una situación experimental de hablar en público. Participaron 72 universitarios que respondieron Test de Simulación de Hablar en Público (TSFP) Inventario de Habilidades Sociales (IHS-Del-Prette), Self Statements During Public Speaking Scale (SPSS), y Cuestionario Sociodemográfico y Ocupacional. Los grupos diferían significativamente en relación a la mayoría de los indicadores comportamentales de ansiedad, evaluados por medio del Protocolo de Registro de Hablar en Público (PRFP), con promedio de frecuencia superior para el grupo con platea. Fue constatado, también, que cuanto más elaborado es el repertorio de habilidades sociales de un universitario, éste evaluará de forma más positiva su propio desempeño en situaciones de hablar en público. Se sugiere realizar nuevas investigaciones con un número mayor de universitarios, con diferentes niveles de ansiedad social, que permitan examinar las asociaciones entre habilidades sociales, autoevaluación al hablar en público y ansiedad social. (AU)

Can anxiety increase tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease? An experimental model

Abstract Background Among non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), anxiety occurs in up to 67% of patients. Clinically, PD patients report worsening of tremors in anxiogenic situations. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between motor symptoms and anxiety in PD patients and compare their performances with those of healthy volunteers. Methods Fifteen volunteers with PD and 15 healthy volunteers without clinically significant psychiatric disorders were evaluated. Both groups were subjected to a simulated public speaking test (SPST). The following parameters were measured: visual analog mood scale (VAMS), items related to tremors of UPDRS, bradykinesia tests, blood pressure, and heart rate. Results Results of repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant effect on group × phase interaction (F3.7,105.6 = 2.56; p = 0.046) for VAMS anxiety factor. Regarding tremors, ANOVA indicated significant differences in group × phase interaction (F4.5,121 = 2.88; p = 0.021) and between the groups (F1,27 = 45.88, p < 0.001), with differences in the anticipatory phase, performance, and post-speech, compared with those in the baseline. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to other factors of VAMS, physiological measurements, and bradykinesia. Discussion Worsening of tremors occurred during SPST, particularly in phases with higher anxiety scores.

Discursos interpretativos y prácticas deliberativas: propuesta metodológica para formulación de políticas públicas sanitarias en Colombia / Interpretative speeches and deliberative practices: a methodological proposal for the formulation of public health policies in Colombia

RESUMEN Objetivo Formular políticas públicas sanitarias en escenarios de gobernanza local mediante la participación comunitaria, requiere reconocer la interacción de todos los actores sociales mediante enfoques argumentativos. Métodos A partir de un enfoque hermenêutico crítico, se utilizó un método retórico argumentativo para la formulación política desde un escenario socio céntrico, a partir de un diálogo de saberes entre la comunidad e instituciones locales, que permitieron identificar y comprender problemáticas sociales relevantes en salud, relacionadas con primera infancia y familia. Resultados Se construyó una política pública integral armonizada con programas sociales en salud existentes, para intervenir aspectos en referencia a la primera infancia, infancia, adolescencia y familia, donde las soluciones y su implementación parten de un núcleo participativo que trasmuta lo existente hacia algo inherente a la comunidad. Conclusiones El enfoque argumentativo en las políticas públicas reconoce el núcleo dialéctico de la política acercando la comunidad a los entes gubernamentales mediante la participación ciudadana activa en procesos de identificación, implementación y puesta en marcha de políticas sociales.(AU)

ABSTRACT Objective To propose public health policies in local governance scenarios through community participation; this requires recognizing the interaction of all social actors through argumentative approaches. Methods Considering a critical hermeneutic approach, an argumentative rhetorical method was used to conduct a political formulation from a socio-centric scenario, based on a dialogue of knowledge between the community and local institutions, which allowed to identify and understand relevant social problems in health, related with early childhood and family. Results A comprehensive public policy was built in accordance with existing social health programs to intervene aspects referring to early childhood, childhood, adolescence and family. Solutions and their implementation arise from a participatory nucleus that reconciles institutional political interests and social needs of the local community. Conclusions The argumentative approach in public policies recognizes the dialectical nucleus of politics by bringing the community closer to government entities through active citizen participation in processes of identification, implementation and execution of social policies.(AU)

Inverted U-Shaped Dose-Response Curve of the Anxiolytic Effect of Cannabidiol during Public Speaking in Real Life.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the anxiolytic effect of cannabidiol (CBD) in humans follows the same pattern of an inverted U-shaped dose-effect curve observed in many animal studies. Sixty healthy subjects of both sexes aged between 18 and 35 years were randomly assigned to five groups that received placebo, clonazepam (1 mg), and CBD (100, 300, and 900 mg). The subjects were underwent a test of public speaking in a real situation (TPSRS) where each subject had to speak in front of a group formed by the remaining participants. Each subject completed the anxiety and sedation factors of the Visual Analog Mood Scale and had their blood pressure and heart rate recorded. These measures were obtained in five experimental sessions with 12 volunteers each. Each session had four steps at the following times (minutes) after administration of the drug/placebo, as time 0: -5 (baseline), 80 (pre-test), 153 (speech), and 216 (post-speech). Repeated-measures analyses of variance showed that the TPSRS increased the subjective measures of anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure. Student-Newman-Keuls test comparisons among the groups in each phase showed significant attenuation in anxiety scores relative to the placebo group in the group treated with clonazepam during the speech phase, and in the clonazepam and CBD 300 mg groups in the post-speech phase. Clonazepam was more sedative than CBD 300 and 900 mg and induced a smaller increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure than CBD 300 mg. The results confirmed that the acute administration of CBD induced anxiolytic effects with a dose-dependent inverted U-shaped curve in healthy subjects, since the subjective anxiety measures were reduced with CBD 300 mg, but not with CBD 100 and 900 mg, in the post-speech phase.

Rimonabant effects on anxiety induced by simulated public speaking in healthy humans: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the hypothesis that rimonabant, a cannabinoid antagonist/inverse agonist, would increase anxiety in healthy subjects during a simulation of the public speaking test. METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated to receive oral placebo or 90 mg rimonabant in a double-blind design. Subjective effects were measured by Visual Analogue Mood Scale. Physiological parameters, namely arterial blood pressure and heart rate, also were monitored. RESULTS: Twelve participants received oral placebo and 12 received 90 mg rimonabant. Rimonabant increased self-reported anxiety levels during the anticipatory speech and performance phase compared with placebo. Interestingly, rimonabant did not modulate anxiety prestress and was not associated with sedation, cognitive impairment, discomfort, or blood pressure changes. CONCLUSIONS: Cannabinoid-1 antagonism magnifies the responses to an anxiogenic stimulus without interfering with the prestress phase. These data suggest that the endocannabinoid system may work on-demand to counteract the consequences of anxiogenic stimuli in healthy humans.

Human experimental anxiety: actual public speaking induces more intense physiological responses than simulated public speaking

Objectives: a) To perform a systematic and meta-analytic review to verify whether the Simulated Public Speaking Task (SPST) leads to a greater increase in self-rated anxiety than in physiological correlates of anxiety; and b) to compare the results obtained with the SPST with an actual public speaking task involving healthy volunteers. Methods: a) The PubMed and ISI Web of Knowledge databases were searched for studies involving the SPST prior to 2012. Eleven publications were eligible and provided data from 143 healthy volunteers for meta-analysis; b) 48 university students without somatic or psychiatric disorders were divided into three experimental groups of 16 subjects to undergo one of the following: SPST, real-world public speaking task (real-world), and control situation (control). Results: The meta-analysis showed that the SPST induced a significant increase in the Visual Analogue Mood Scale (VAMS) anxiety factor, but no significant increases in systolic blood pressure or heart rate. The empirical study showed that the real-world public speaking task increased heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure significantly more than the control and SPST conditions. Conclusions: These results suggest that real public speaking might be better than SPST in inducing experimental anxiety. .

Validation of the state version of the Self-Statement during Public Speaking Scale

OBJECTIVE: To adapt the trait version of the Self Statements during Public Speaking (SSPS) scale to a state version (SSPS-S) and to assess its discriminative validity for use in the Simulated Public Speaking Test (SPST). METHOD: Subjects with and without social anxiety disorder (n = 45) were assessed while performing the SPST, a clinical-experimental model of anxiety with seven different phases. RESULTS: Alterations in negative self-assessment occurred with significant changes throughout the different phases of the procedure (p = .05). Non-cases presented significantly higher mean values of the SSPS-S in all phases of the procedure than cases (p < .01). CONCLUSION: Cases assessed themselves in a less positive and more negative manner during the SPST than did non-cases. SSPS-S is adequate for this assessment, especially its negative subscale, and shows good psychometric qualities.

The 5-HT1D/1B receptor agonist sumatriptan enhances fear of simulated speaking and reduces plasma levels of prolactin.

This study measured the effects of the preferential 5-HT1D/1B receptor agonist sumatriptan in healthy volunteers who performed the Simulated Public Speaking Test (SPST), which recruits the neural network involved in panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. In a double-blind, randomised experiment, 36 males received placebo (12), 50 mg (12) or 100 mg (12) of sumatriptan 2 h before the SPST. Subjective, physiological and hormonal measures were taken before, during and after the test. The dose of 100 mg of sumatriptan increased speech-induced fear more than either a 50mg dose of the drug or placebo. The largest dose of sumatriptan also enhanced vigilance more than placebo, without any change in blood pressure, heart rate or electrical skin conductance. Sumatriptan decreased plasma levels of prolactin. A significant but moderate increase in plasma cortisol after SPST occurred, independent of treatment. Because sumatriptan decreases 5-HT release into the extracellular space, the potentiation of SPST-induced fear caused by the drug supports the hypothesis that 5-HT attenuates this emotional state. As acute administration of antidepressants has also been shown to enhance speaking fear and increase plasma prolactin, in contrast to sumatriptan, the 5-HT regulation of stress-hormone release is likely to be different from that of emotion.

Transtorno de ansiedade social e habilidades sociais de falar em público: estudo experimental / Social anxiety disorder and social skills for speaking in public: experimental study

O falar em público tem sido considerado um importante estressor psicossocial. Objetivou-se, comparar e caracterizar o repertório de habilidades sociais apresentado por universitários portadores de Transtorno de Ansiedade Social (TAS) e não portadores frente a uma situação experimental estruturada, o Teste de Simulação de Falar em Público (TSFP). Participaram 26 universitários, sendo 13 com diagnóstico de TAS (grupo caso de TAS) e 13 não portadores de transtornos psiquiátricos (grupo não-caso). Esses grupos não apresentaram diferenças significativas para a maioria dos marcadores comportamentais de ansiedade. Um número maior de sujeitos do grupo não-caso foi avaliado como apresentando um nível de habilidades sociais apropriadas para falar em público, em comparação ao grupo caso. Os grupos diferiram significativamente na maioria dos itens indicativos da habilidade de falar em público do Inventário de Habilidades Sociais (IHS-Del-Prette). Considera-se que a avaliação por meio do TSFP pode favorecer o planejamento de programas de treinamento em habilidades sociais. (AU)

Speaking in public is considered an important psychosocial stressor. The objective of this investigation was to compare and characterize the repertoire of social skills displayed by college students suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and non-cases in a structured experimental situation, Simulation of Public Speaking Test (SPST). 26 undergraduate students participated, 13 of whom were diagnosed with SAD, and 13 non-cases of any psychiatric disorder (non-case group). These groups showed no significant differences for most behavioral markers of anxiety. A larger number of subjects in the non-case group were assessed as having a level of appropriate social skills for speaking in public, in comparison with the case group. The groups differed significantly on most items indicative of the ability to speak in public of the Social Skills Inventory (IHS-Del-Prette). It is considered that the assessment through SPST may facilitate the planning of social skills training programs. (AU)

Transtorno de ansiedade social e habilidades sociais de falar em público: estudo experimental / Social anxiety disorder and social skills for speaking in public: experimental study

O falar em público tem sido considerado um importante estressor psicossocial. Objetivou-se, comparar e caracterizar o repertório de habilidades sociais apresentado por universitários portadores de Transtorno de Ansiedade Social (TAS) e não portadores frente a uma situação experimental estruturada, o Teste de Simulação de Falar em Público (TSFP). Participaram 26 universitários, sendo 13 com diagnóstico de TAS (grupo caso de TAS) e 13 não portadores de transtornos psiquiátricos (grupo não-caso). Esses grupos não apresentaram diferenças significativas para a maioria dos marcadores comportamentais de ansiedade. Um número maior de sujeitos do grupo não-caso foi avaliado como apresentando um nível de habilidades sociais apropriadas para falar em público, em comparação ao grupo caso. Os grupos diferiram significativamente na maioria dos itens indicativos da habilidade de falar em público do Inventário de Habilidades Sociais (IHS-Del-Prette). Considera-se que a avaliação por meio do TSFP pode favorecer o planejamento de programas de treinamento em habilidades sociais.(AU)

Speaking in public is considered an important psychosocial stressor. The objective of this investigation was to compare and characterize the repertoire of social skills displayed by college students suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and non-cases in a structured experimental situation, Simulation of Public Speaking Test (SPST). 26 undergraduate students participated, 13 of whom were diagnosed with SAD, and 13 non-cases of any psychiatric disorder (non-case group). These groups showed no significant differences for most behavioral markers of anxiety. A larger number of subjects in the non-case group were assessed as having a level of appropriate social skills for speaking in public, in comparison with the case group. The groups differed significantly on most items indicative of the ability to speak in public of the Social Skills Inventory (IHS-Del-Prette). It is considered that the assessment through SPST may facilitate the planning of social skills training programs.(AU)

Aspectos cognitivos do falar em público: validação de uma escala de autoavaliação para universitários brasileiros / Cognitive aspects of public speaking: validation of a self-assessment scale for Brazilian university students

CONTEXTO: O falar em público é o medo mais prevalente na população geral e no Transtorno de Ansiedade Social (TAS). Assim sendo, estudos que dimensionem essa situação específica são necessários. OBJETIVOS: Validar a Self Statements during Public Speaking (SSPS) em amostra da população geral de estudantes universitários (PG - n = 2.314), casos (C - n = 88) e não casos de TAS (NC - n = 90) do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Conduziu-se o estudo em duas fases: a) preenchimento dos questionários autoaplicados em sala de aula; b) participação em entrevista telefônica e ao vivo. RESULTADOS: Evidenciaram-se correlações baixas/moderadas entre SSPS e Inventário de Fobia Social (PG = 0,22-0,65; C = 0,28-0,32; NC = 0,21-0,30), Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck (PG = 0,18-0,53; C = 0,25-0,33; NC = 0,22-0,25) e Escala Breve de Fobia Social (C = não significativa, NC = 0,23-0,31) nas diferentes amostras, especialmente para a PG. A análise fatorial apontou a presença de dois fatores, associados à autoavaliação positiva e negativa. O estudo da validade discriminativa evidenciou a capacidade da SSPS de discriminar os casos dos não casos de TAS. CONCLUSÃO: A SSPS é adequada para uso no contexto brasileiro, sendo que a subescala autoavaliação positiva parece ser mais efetiva para a avaliação de amostras identificadas ou suspeitas de TAS e a subescala autoavaliação negativa ter uma característica mais rastreadora quando aplicada em amostras da população geral.

BACKGROUND: Fear of public speaking is the most prevalent fear in the general population and among persons with a social anxiety disorder (SAD). Nevertheless, studies about the assessment of this specific phenomenon are still needed. OBJECTIVES: To examine the validity of the Self Statements during Public Speaking (SSPS) scale in a general population of Brazilian university students (GP, n = 2314), in an SAD sample (n = 88), and in a non-SAD sample (n = 90). METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases: a) completing a self-administered questionnaire in the classroom, b) participating in a telephone and face-to-face interview. RESULTS: The SSPS showed low/median correlations with the Social Phobia Inventory (GP = 0.22-0.65; SAD = 0.28-0.32; non-SAD = 0.21-0.30), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (GP = 0.18-0.53; SAD = 0.25-0.33; non-SAD = 0.22-0.25), and the Brief Social Phobia Scale (SAD = not significant, non-SAD = 0.23-0.31) in all the samples, especially in the GP sample. Factorial analysis indicated the presence of two factors associated with positive and negative self-assessment. The study of discriminative validity demonstrated that the SSPS has the ability to differentiate between cases and non-cases of SAD. DISCUSSION: The SSPS is an adequate instrument to be used within the Brazilian context. The positive self-assessment subscale seems to be more effective for the evaluation of SAD samples. The negative self-assessment subscale appears to have a better screening characteristic in the general population of university students.

O teste da simulação do falar em público não gera ansiedade em adolescentes surdos ou ouvintes / The public speaking simulation test does not create anxiety in deaf or listeners adolescents

O presente trabalho pretendeu comparar a ansiedade relatada através da Escala Analógica de Humor (EAH) no Teste da Simulação do Falar em Público em adolescentes surdos e ouvintes. Participaram do experimento quinze surdos que dominam o alfabeto digital e a Língua Brasileira de Sinais (LIBRAS) (grupo experimental) e quinze ouvintes (grupo controle) com idades entre 11 a 18 anos, pareados em relação a variáveis sócio-econômicas e sexo. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos individualmente ao teste da simulação do falar em público, no qual a escala analógica de humor foi aplicada nas fases de adaptação, pré-discurso, durante o discurso e pós-discurso. Os resultados obtidos em ambos os grupos indicam que para a população de adolescentes o teste não gerou a ansiedade tipicamente relatada em adultos e não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos segundo tipo de linguagem usada.

The purpose of this study was to compare the anxiety reported by deaf and normal hearing teenagers on the Public Speaking Simulation Test through the Humor Analog Scale (HAS). Fifteen deaf teenagers expert on the digital alphabet and on the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) and fifteen normal hearing (control group) with 11 to 18 years of age participated on the study. Social economic class and genre were similar in the two groups. Both groups were individually submitted to a Public Speaking Simulation Test, and evaluated by the Humor Analog Scale applied on the adaptation phase, pre-speech phase, during the speech phase and after the speech phase. For the teenager population the test did not cause anxiety, typically obtained with adults. There was no significant statistic difference between the two different language groups.

O teste da simulação do falar em público não gera ansiedade em adolescentes surdos ou ouvintes / The public speaking simulation test does not create anxiety in deaf or listeners adolescents

O presente trabalho pretendeu comparar a ansiedade relatada através da Escala Analógica de Humor (EAH) no Teste da Simulação do Falar em Público em adolescentes surdos e ouvintes. Participaram do experimento quinze surdos que dominam o alfabeto digital e a Língua Brasileira de Sinais (LIBRAS) (grupo experimental) e quinze ouvintes (grupo controle) com idades entre 11 a 18 anos, pareados em relação a variáveis sócio-econômicas e sexo. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos individualmente ao teste da simulação do falar em público, no qual a escala analógica de humor foi aplicada nas fases de adaptação, pré-discurso, durante o discurso e pós-discurso. Os resultados obtidos em ambos os grupos indicam que para a população de adolescentes o teste não gerou a ansiedade tipicamente relatada em adultos e não houve diferença estatística significativa entre os grupos segundo tipo de linguagem usada.(AU)

The purpose of this study was to compare the anxiety reported by deaf and normal hearing teenagers on the Public Speaking Simulation Test through the Humor Analog Scale (HAS). Fifteen deaf teenagers expert on the digital alphabet and on the Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) and fifteen normal hearing (control group) with 11 to 18 years of age participated on the study. Social economic class and genre were similar in the two groups. Both groups were individually submitted to a Public Speaking Simulation Test, and evaluated by the Humor Analog Scale applied on the adaptation phase, pre-speech phase, during the speech phase and after the speech phase. For the teenager population the test did not cause anxiety, typically obtained with adults. There was no significant statistic difference between the two different language groups.(AU)

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in anxiety and panic

This review article focuses on the differential activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in generalized anxiety and panic. The results of experimental studies that assayed adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol and prolactin show that real-life panic attacks as well as those induced by selective panicogenic agents, such as lactate and carbon dioxide, do not activate the HPA axis. Accordingly, experiments carried out in two animal models of panic, namely electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter of the rat and the escape from the open arm of the elevated T maze, have shown that in neither case stress hormones are increased in the plasma. Also in humans, reported results have shown that neither cortisol nor prolactin levels were increased following simulated public speaking, an experimental task that has been related to panic, in either healthy volunteers or patients with panic disorder diagnosis. Therefore, although the panic attack causes a major sympathetic stimulation, it has little effect on the HPA axis. In contrast, anticipatory or generalized anxiety activates both the HPA and the sympatho-adrenal axes.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in anxiety and panic

This review article focuses on the differential activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in generalized anxiety and panic. The results of experimental studies that assayed adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol and prolactin show that real-life panic attacks as well as those induced by selective panicogenic agents, such as lactate and carbon dioxide, do not activate the HPA axis. Accordingly, experiments carried out in two animal models of panic, namely electrical stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray matter of the rat and the escape from the open arm of the elevated T maze, have shown that in neither case stress hormones are increased in the plasma. Also in humans, reported results have shown that neither cortisol nor prolactin levels were increased following simulated public speaking, an experimental task that has been related to panic, in either healthy volunteers or patients with panic disorder diagnosis. Therefore, although the panic attack causes a major sympathetic stimulation, it has little effect on the HPA axis. In contrast, anticipatory or generalized anxiety activates both the HPA and the sympatho-adrenal axes.(AU)