Reducing stage fright: which methods have proved themselves?
Work on technique, relaxation or thoughts to reduce stage fright? Intervention studies let us compare.
The synthesis
Mike Allen, John Hunter and William Donohue (1989, Communication Education) meta-analyse desensitisation, cognitive restructuring and skills training: all reduce apprehension, combinations most clearly.
Data limits
Studies mostly involve US students and self-reports shortly after the intervention.
The nuance
Less anxiety does not automatically mean a better talk; content preparation is a separate factor. (our executive and employee training programmes)
The limit of common practice
Relying on posture tips without gradual exposure or work on anticipatory thoughts.
A practical check in Geneva
Plan four talks of rising difficulty over a month and rate anxiety beforehand from 1 to 10. The curve shows whether exposure works. To go further: explore the Public Speaking & Impact training in Geneva, or browse our executive and employee training programmes in Switzerland.
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