A short virtual reality program to help prevent gun violence after an injury
Official title: RFA-CE-23-006, A Virtual Reality Brief Violence Intervention: Preventing gun violence among violently injured adults
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11229718 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program uses brief virtual reality stories and games to help adults who were violently injured lower the chance of getting hurt again or taking part in gun violence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $649,701 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CE003625-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11229718 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults recently treated for violent injury—especially young adults (around 18–35) at risk of retaliatory violence—would be the ideal candidates for this program.
✕Less likely to help
People who were not recently injured by interpersonal violence, are underage, or are unable/unwilling to use VR technology are unlikely to benefit from this specific program.
What this research studies
If you take part, you would use a short VR headset session that shows culturally relevant stories and interactive game-like scenarios designed to teach coping, conflict resolution, and safety planning. The VR experience is paired with brief education and support aimed at the needs of violently injured adults. The program is delivered in the hospital setting soon after your injury so it meets you where you are. Researchers will follow participants over time to see whether the VR approach changes future injuries, violent behavior, or other outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If it works, the program could reduce repeat violent injury and the likelihood of retaliatory or other gun violence by teaching safer choices and coping skills.
How similar studies have gone: Hospital-based brief violence-intervention programs and VR behavior-change programs have shown promise in other areas, but using VR specifically to prevent gun violence is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomson, Nicholas David — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Thomson, Nicholas David
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.