Novel Virtual Reality Tool to Help Emerging Adults with ADHD Focus
Official title: Development of a Novel Virtual Reality Treatment for Emerging Adults with ADHD
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11416508 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A VR-based program helps adults with ADHD stay focused on homework and studying using structured environments and real-time feedback.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $616,590 |
| NIH project number | 5R33MH131632-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416508 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults ages 21 and older with ADHD who are university students or in similar study/coworking environments and are able to use VR equipment.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without ADHD or those unable to use VR technology or tolerate headset use may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a virtual reality platform to create a distraction-free study space for adults with ADHD and provide frequent, automatic feedback to support focus and task completion. It will compare two new intervention approaches within VR and a VR passthrough to a laptop control, while collecting survey data and objective metrics like keyboard and mouse use to measure concentration and motivation. The research includes four parts, starting with optimization of data capture in a small group and progressing to a large randomized trial. If successful, this VR approach could offer a scalable alternative or supplement to medication and traditional behavioral therapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could give adults with ADHD a practical, accessible tool to improve concentration and study productivity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous behavioral and digital interventions show promise, but this VR-based approach is novel and directly targets on-task behavior with automated feedback.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Langberg, Joshua Morris — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Langberg, Joshua Morris
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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.