Virtual Reality for Autism and ADHD

(Attend-VR Trial)

Overseen By Alexander Lopez, JD, OT/L

Age: < 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: New York Institute of Technology

Disqualifiers: Epilepsy, Severe disability, Brain injury, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 14

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

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.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for neurodivergent children aged 9-18 with autism or ADHD who can follow simple instructions and commit to playing a VR game twice a week for 6 weeks. They must have stable medication use, if any, and be able to see and hear well enough for VR tasks.

Inclusion Criteria

I can follow simple instructions and commit to twice-weekly VR sessions for 6 weeks.

I can see and hear well enough for VR tasks with my glasses/hearing aids.

I have been diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, SLD, or DCD by a licensed clinician.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in a VR-based attention-training program, playing a VR game twice per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 25 minutes

6 weeks

12 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in attention using the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and RightEye assessment

4 weeks

2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Virtual Reality

Trial Overview

The study tests whether a virtual reality game can improve attention spans in neurodivergent children. Participants will engage with the VR intervention during scheduled sessions over the course of six weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Does participation in a 6-week VR-based program improve attentional skills in neurodiverse children? Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The research design comprises a nonequivalent quasi-experimental, multi-group pre- and post-test design (neurodivergent and neurotypical). The pre-test and post-test will consist of the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and the RightEye assessment. These measures will be administered at the clinical site (ISF). The intervention consists of two 25-minute VR sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

New York Institute of Technology

Lead Sponsor

Trials

56

Recruited

2,300+