Initial study using fixed-role and rational-emotive therapy in treating public-speaking anxiety.

22 undergraduates who reported high levels of public-speaking anxiety received fixed-role, or rational-emotive group therapy, or no therapy. Pre- and posttherapy measures included 5 self-report and 2 behavioral measures. Support for the hypothesis that treatment would reduce anxiety more than no treatment was secured on most self-report measures. To the extent that reliability permitted data analysis, the behavioral data showed no significant differences. Results lend some support to the common assumption that psychotherapy as compared to no treatment is effective in reducing emotional disorders, and that cognitive therapies, as well as behavioral therapies, are amenable to controlled study if clear definition of variables is obtained. (19 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)