Development of a Novel Virtual Reality Treatment for Emerging Adults With ADHD
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Summary
The goal of this larger parallel group randomized trial is to test the impact of a virtual reality program for improving the ability of emerging adults (age 18-25) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to stay focused while completing homework and studying. This study compares the impact of using a virtual reality headset to using a virtual reality headset while also receiving feedback about levels of focus to a control group. The main question is whether participants demonstrate significantly improved concentration while completing homework and studying in virtual reality and whether they enjoy and prefer working in a virtual reality environment. Concentration is measured both through participant report and also using keyboard and mouse click data to assess work productivity objectively.
Description
This study involves a parallel randomized control trial (RCT) to assess the feasibility/usability and preliminary effects of a virtual reality (VR) environment alone compared to VR environment + feedback about focus and to a VR passthrough control. Phase 4 will follow the same procedures as Phase 3 except instead of n=45, we will randomize n=252 (note, number who consent is higher, to account for those found not eligible after consenting). Proposed mechanisms of action will be measured every session, including data on keyboard and mouse clicks plus self-ratings of concentration, homework effor…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must meet DSM-5 criteria for ADHD * Between the ages of 18 and 25 * Given high rates of comorbidities in college students with ADHD, participants who meet criteria for ODD, anxiety or depressive disorders on the diagnostic interview are not excluded * Participants must have an item mean score of \>2.0 (often or very often) on the homework task specific version of the Adult Concentration Index (ACI), ensuring the presence of a problem in the mechanism being targeted in this study * The participant has to endorse a total of at least 5 symptoms in the ADHD inat…
Interventions
- BehavioralMeta Quest 3 VR Headset with noise cancelling headphones
Wearing the headset and headphones removes all outside audio and visual distractions. One of the groups receives frequent and consistent feedback about work productivity similar to behavioral interventions for ADHD.
Locations (2)
- Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, Louisiana
- Rutgers University - New BrunswickNew Brunswick, New Jersey