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Development of a Novel Virtual Reality Treatment for Emerging Adults with ADHD

Award Number: R33MH131632
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2023
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2028

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Development of a Novel Virtual Reality Treatment for Emerging Adults with ADHD - Project Summary/Abstract Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent and impairing disorder. Behavioral treatments that structure the environment and provide frequent and consistent monitoring are efficacious but resource and time intensive, leading to problems with access and adherence. This study will utilize a virtual reality platform to minimize distractions and provide the structure and monitoring necessary for individuals with ADHD to maintain focus while completing homework and studying. The virtual reality (VR) headset will place students in a distraction free environment that automates the frequent and consistent point-of-performance feedback and reinforcement that serves as the core mechanisms of behavioral treatment. The VR technology will allow for direct comparison between two novel intervention approaches and a VR passthrough to laptop control. Survey and objective data (keyboard and mouse click data) will be collected to directly evaluate the impact of VR on core targets of action, including concentration, motivation, and homework effort. This novel alternative to medication and behavior therapy offers a completely new tool for supporting individuals with ADHD. This study includes four separate projects, three in the R61 phase and a large randomized trial in the R33 phase. Project 1 (N = 30 college students with ADHD) focuses on optimizing and refining objective data capture algorithms to quantify on-task behavior and work productivity while completing a variety of different types of academic tasks. Project 2 (N = 30 college students with ADHD) focuses on developing and refining on-task monitoring and performance feedback algorithms within VR, including a green, yellow, and red-light display that allows individuals with ADHD to receive consistent and frequent feedback and work towards specific short-terms goals and rewards. Focus groups will also be completed to improve VR feasibility and usability. Project 3 involves a small randomized controlled trial to ensure that the key targets of action are engaged. Project 3 will assess the feasibility/usability and preliminary effects of the VR environment alone (n=15) as compared to VR environment + contingency management (n=15) and a passthrough control wearing of the VR headset (n=15). Time on-task, homework motivation, and homework effort are the proposed mechanisms of action. If the Go/No-Go criteria are met in Project 3, the protocol moves to Project 4, which involves a randomized trial of the VR intervention. 252 college students with ADHD will be randomized to receive either: (1) VR environment alone, (2) VR environment + contingency management, or (3) pass-through VR headset control for 8 weeks. Measures of mental health and academic functioning will be collected at baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and at a 3-month follow-up.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $616,590 )
2026	2026	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	4	7/29/2026	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$616,590
														Subtotal = $616,590

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $631,089 )
2025	2025	RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY	3 RUTGERS PLZ	NEW BRUNSWICK	NJ	08901	MIDDLESEX	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	3	9/15/2025	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$631,089
														Subtotal = $631,089

Grand Total All Awards = $1,247,679

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Development of a Novel Virtual Reality Treatment for Emerging Adults with ADHD

Award Number: R33MH131632

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2023

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2028

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