Free VR Tool from Cambridge Scientist Aims to Overcome Fear of Public Speaking

Dr. Chris Macdonald's innovative platform uses virtual reality exposure therapy to help users build confidence in public speaking through realistic and challenging simulations.

• The Virtual Reality Public Speaking Platform, developed by Dr. Chris Macdonald at Cambridge University, is designed to help users overcome glossophobia, the fear of public speaking.
• The platform uses VR exposure therapy to simulate increasingly challenging speaking environments, allowing users to practice in scenarios such as stadiums with 10,000 animated spectators or small venues with distracted audiences.
• A peer-reviewed study published in *Frontiers in Virtual Reality* found that a single 30-minute session significantly boosted confidence, with further improvements seen after a week of use.
• The tool is accessible for free worldwide and can be used with a smartphone and an inexpensive VR headset, making it widely available to those in need.
• Future plans for the platform include specialized environments for specific scenarios, such as job interviews or teleprompter reading, and targeted applications for groups like children who stammer.

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