Improvement of Sustained Attention Through Immersive Virtual Reality in Neurodivergent Children
New York Institute of Technology
Summary
The goal of this study is to determine whether playing a virtual reality (VR) game can help neurodivergent children pay attention for extended periods. The study includes children ages 9 to 18 who have autism, ADHD, learning differences, or movement coordination challenges. The program lasts for 6 weeks. During this period, children will play a VR game twice per week, with each session lasting 25 minutes.
Description
The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to investigate the impact of an immersive virtual reality (VR) game intervention on sustained attention in neurodivergent children aged 9 to 18 years. This project aligns with previous study dosages designed as a 6-week program targeting children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disorder (SLD), or developmental coordination disorder (DCD) (neurodivergent disorders). Participants will be recruited through convenience sampling in the local community and will participat…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 9–18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of ASD, ADHD, SLD, or DCD confirmed by a licensed clinician or documented in medical/educational records (DSM-5 or equivalent). * Parent/guardian consent and participant assent (age-appropriate). * Ability to follow simple verbal instructions and to participate in 25-minute VR sessions twice weekly for 6 weeks. * Stable medication regimen for attention- or behavior-related medications for ≥4 weeks prior to baseline (or not taking such medications). * Visual and auditory ability adequate for VR tasks (with or without usual corrective lenses/hearing aids…
Interventions
- BehavioralVirtual Reality
Participants will engage in an immersive virtual reality (VR) game intervention designed to improve visual attention skills. The intervention employs a VR game called Electrical Maze, which requires players to maintain sustained visual attention and respond to game challenges that develop focus and inhibitory control. Each participant will complete scheduled VR gaming sessions that target attentional skill development. During the sessions, children interact with the Electrical Maze game, which presents visual tasks that require them to identify and respond to specific visual cues while inhibiting responses to non-target stimuli.
Location
- Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc.Old Westbury, New York