Augmented Reality app to help Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder
Official title: Development of an Augmented Reality App for Veterans with Alcohol Use Disorder
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-11451985 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A smartphone AR app is being developed to support veterans with alcohol use disorder through cue-based, technology-enabled therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $719,068 |
| NIH project number | 1R34AA032821-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11451985 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans diagnosed with alcohol use disorder who own a smartphone and are willing to use a digital therapeutic tool.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without AUD or those without compatible smartphone access may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to help veterans who struggle with alcohol use by using augmented reality on smartphones to present cue-related therapy in real life. The approach builds on cue-exposure therapy, adapting it into an engaging AR experience to reduce cravings. It will recruit patients through a clinical research process and test how well the AR intervention works in real-world settings. The study will involve developing and piloting the app with feedback from veterans and clinicians to refine its effectiveness and usability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could reduce cravings and alcohol use among veterans by delivering accessible, real-time therapy via smartphones.
How similar studies have gone: Past cue-exposure approaches have shown promise in controlled settings, but AR-based real-world use is a newer, exploratory approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ecker, Anthony — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ecker, Anthony
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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.