Using virtual reality to help healthcare workers prevent substance use issues caused by burnout
Official title: The Chiron Project: Using Virtual Reality to Prevent Substance Use Disorder in Healthcare Workers Facing Burnout
Funded at See Yourself Health, LLC · NIH-11008046 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a virtual reality program designed to help healthcare workers deal with stress and burnout by offering supportive group activities and resources they can use on their phones or VR headsets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | See Yourself Health, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Beverly, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $294,489 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DA054867-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11008046 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are healthcare workers, including physicians and nurses, who are experiencing burnout and stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not healthcare workers or those who do not experience burnout may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an immersive virtual reality platform aimed at healthcare workers experiencing stress and burnout. The Chiron Project will provide group educational programs that teach skills like self-compassion and resilience, while also offering confidential peer support and evidence-based care. By utilizing mobile devices or VR headsets, healthcare professionals can access resources designed to help them manage their stress and reduce the risk of substance use disorders. The project aims to assess how feasible and user-friendly this platform is for its intended audience.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of substance use disorders among healthcare workers by providing them with effective coping strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of virtual reality in healthcare is an emerging field, similar approaches have shown promise in addressing mental health issues and stress management.
Where this research is happening
-
See Yourself Health, LLC
Beverly, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drascher, Maxwell Lee — See Yourself Health, LLC
- Study coordinator: Drascher, Maxwell Lee
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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.