Cue-Controlled Relaxation and “Aromatherapy” in the Treatment of Speech Anxiety

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the separate and combined effects of cue-controlled relaxation training and "aromatherapy" as treatments for reducing speech anxiety. Thirty-six speech anxious subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: cuecontrolled relaxation with a word cue, cue-controlled relaxation with an aroma cue, "aromatherapy" alone, and a wait list (i.e., control) group. Prior to treatment, subjects completed the Personal Report of Confidence as a Speaker, Fear of Negative Evaluation questionnaire, S-R Inventory of Anxiousness-Speech Form, Cognitive Somatic Anxiety Questionnaire, and Multiple Affect Adjective Check List; subjects also performed a speech which was rated for behavioral signs of anxiety. The assessment protocol was repeated following treatment, and at a two-month follow-up. Thirty-two of 36 subjects (89%) provided complete data at post-treatment, and 23 of 28 treated subjects (82%) provided complete data at follow-up. Results indicated that subjects in both cue-controlled relaxation conditions decreased their speech anxiety more than did the subjects in the aromatherapy or control conditions. There were no differences between word and aroma cues, nor did the aromatherapy group differ from the control group. Pre-treatment-posttreatment comparisons revealed that both relaxation groups improved after treatment on most self-report measures; however, no changes were noted on the behavioral measure. We conclude that (a) aroma cues appear to be no more effective than word cues, and (b) the affirmative claim made by advocates of aromatherapy are premature.

Effectiveness of complementary and self‐help treatments for anxiety disorders

“…One RCT of aromatherapy in men with speech anxiety found no difference in the anxiety reduction of men treated with aromatherapy and men in a control group. 80 A systematic review of RCTs of aromatherapy delivered through massage found that the intervention resulted in significantly lower anxiety levels than a control intervention in hospitalised cancer, cardiac and intensive care patients. 81 However, participants were not specifically selected for anxiety, the reduction in anxiety was reported to be transient, and the trials contained methodological flaws.…”

“… 195 ‐ 202 Rational emotive therapy has been found to be more effective, 197 but relaxation has been found to be superior to aromatherapy. 200 …”

“…193,194 Speech anxiety: Of eight RCTs, three (using wait-list controls or placebo) found relaxation to be more effective than, and three found it to be as effective as, other behavioural therapies such as biofeedback, systematic desensitisation, and speech practice. [195][196][197][198][199][200][201][202] Rational emotive therapy has been found to be more effective, 197 but relaxation has been found to be superior to aromatherapy. 200 Test anxiety: Of 29 RCTs, those using wait-list controls or other controls found that relaxation is more effective, and the rest found it to be as effective as other behavioural therapies for test anxiety, such as systematic desensitisation, rational emotive therapy, biofeedback, rehearsal and skills acquisition, and meditation.…”

Scent and Mood State following an Anxiety-Provoking Task

“…Spector, Carey, Jorgensen, Meisler, and Carnrike (1993) found little reduction in speech anxiety following jasmine or spiced apple aromatherapy. Spector, et al noted that participants exposed to the scents showed little expectation that this type of treatment would effectively reduce their speech anxiety so the authors suggested that researchers consider participants' beliefs.…”

Nursing Management of Anxiety in Hiv Infection

“…Steel and Tisserand (cited in Vukovic, 1995), both aromatherapists, found that calming oils such as neroli, jasmine, and lavender produce more alpha and theta brain waves, indicative of relaxation and well-being. In another study, speech anxiety was found to decrease more in the experimental group than in the control group following the use of AT (Spector et al, 1993).…”