Virtual Reality for Autism and ADHD
(Attend-VR Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether playing a virtual reality (VR) game can help neurodivergent children, such as those with autism or ADHD, maintain focus longer. Over six weeks, participants will engage in a VR game twice a week for 25 minutes per session. The trial seeks children ages 9 to 18 diagnosed with autism, ADHD, learning differences, or coordination challenges who can attend all sessions at the clinical site. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative research that could improve focus and engagement for neurodivergent children.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial requires that participants have a stable medication regimen for attention- or behavior-related medications for at least 4 weeks before starting. This means you can continue your current medications as long as they have been stable for that period.
What prior data suggests that this virtual reality program is safe for neurodivergent children?
Studies have shown that virtual reality (VR) is safe for children and teenagers with autism and ADHD. One study found VR to be safe and practical for verbally fluent teenagers and adults with autism. Participants used VR for up to three 45-minute sessions without major problems, suggesting that VR is well-tolerated and doesn't cause significant side effects.
Another research review examined VR's effects on children with conditions like ADHD. It found that VR can help improve attention and other cognitive skills. No serious unexpected medical problems were reported, indicating that VR is generally safe.
Overall, evidence supports VR as a safe option for children with these conditions, making it a promising tool for improving attention and focus.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about using Virtual Reality (VR) for autism and ADHD because it offers a unique, immersive way to enhance attentional skills in neurodiverse children. Unlike traditional therapies that might involve medication or behavior interventions, VR provides an interactive and engaging environment that can be tailored to individual needs. This method could potentially improve focus and cognitive functions by simulating real-world scenarios in a controlled setting, making the learning process both fun and effective. Plus, it allows for consistent and repeatable experiences, which is crucial for measuring improvements over time.
What evidence suggests that virtual reality is effective for improving attention in neurodivergent children?
Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) can help children with various learning and thinking styles improve focus and cognitive skills. This trial involves a 6-week VR-based program to assess its impact on attentional skills in neurodiverse children. Studies have found that VR programs can enhance attention and cognitive abilities, as demonstrated in tests like the Stroop test, which measures attention and self-control. VR activities also improve social skills and cognitive abilities in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD. The immersive nature of VR provides a safe and controlled space for children to practice and develop these skills. Overall, VR appears promising as a tool for enhancing focus and cognitive skills in children with diverse learning needs.36789
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
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
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
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for changes in attention using the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and RightEye assessment
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?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
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.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
New York Institute of Technology
Lead Sponsor
Citations
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Technology Interventions in ...
This systematic review found that VR technology interventions positively impact social skills in children and adolescents with ASD.
How Virtual Reality Can Help Neurodivergent Children ...
This study examines the effectiveness of a VR-based attention-training program by comparing pre- and post-intervention data using the Test of ...
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality–Based Cognitive Control ...
Conclusions: The findings indicate that the VR-based training effectively improved cognitive control on the Stroop test and ADHD-related ...
Effect of immersive virtual reality-based training on ...
VR is promising tool for improving cognitive, social and emotional skills in children with ASD in a safe and supportive setting.
5.
frontiersin.org
frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1441615/fullCurrent virtual reality-based rehabilitation interventions in ...
Results show that VR offers high ecological validity and enables improvements in cognitive and social skills. Specifically, in individuals with ADHD, VR showed ...
Effectiveness and User Experience of Immersive Virtual ...
This systematic review aims to investigate the effectiveness and user experience (ie, safety, usability, acceptability, and attrition) outcomes ...
7.
floreovr.com
floreovr.com/hubfs/McCleery%20et%20al%20Safety%20and%20feasiblity%20of%20Floreo%20PSM%20Autism%20Research%202020.pdf?hsLang=enSafety and Feasibility of an Immersive Virtual Reality ...
Here, we report data that indicate that immersive VR is both safe and feasible for use in verbally fluent adoles- cents and adults with ASD, for up to three 45- ...
8.
adhdevidence.org
adhdevidence.org/blog/meta-analysis-suggests-immersive-virtual-reality-might-offer-effective-treatment-for-adhdMeta-Analysis Suggests Immersive Virtual Reality Might ...
Immersive VR-based interventions are effective at improving global cognitive functioning, attention, and memory in children with ADHD compared with controls.
Normative performance data on visual attention in ...
This paper details the application of VR as a tool for neurocognitive evaluation, specifically in attention process assessment.
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