Preventing youth vaping using virtual reality technology
Official title: Youth Vaping Prevention through Immersive Technology
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11134066 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun virtual reality game called E-Invite Only VR that helps middle school students learn how to manage their emotions better, with the goal of preventing them from using e-cigarettes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $705,618 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA294027-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134066 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are middle school students, particularly those in 8th grade, who may be at risk for e-cigarette use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in the middle school age range or those who do not engage with virtual reality technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on preventing e-cigarette use among adolescents by addressing the role of mental health, specifically emotion regulation. It involves a multi-site trial of a virtual reality-based video game called E-Invite Only VR, designed to teach emotion regulation skills and promote healthy behaviors. The program is developed in collaboration with schools and aims to be implemented in middle school classrooms, where initial pilot studies have shown promising results. By integrating behavioral theories, this innovative approach seeks to create a more effective prevention strategy for youth vaping.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce e-cigarette use among adolescents by enhancing their emotional regulation skills.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar virtual reality interventions in educational settings, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hieftje, Kimberly D — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Hieftje, Kimberly D
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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.