Using virtual reality to help people recover from opioid addiction
Virtual Reality Facilitation of Recovery from Opioid Use Disorder
This study is exploring how virtual reality can help people recovering from opioid use disorder by creating engaging experiences that inspire them to stay motivated and manage cravings, and it's looking for participants from addiction treatment centers to join in.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Relate Xr, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11236764 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) technology to support individuals recovering from opioid use disorder. By creating personalized and emotionally engaging experiences that connect users with their future selves, the intervention aims to enhance motivation for recovery and reduce cravings. Participants will be recruited from addiction treatment centers, and the effectiveness of the VR intervention will be evaluated through various recovery-related outcomes. The study seeks to validate the delivery of this innovative approach in a multi-site collaboration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who are in early recovery from opioid use disorder and are seeking additional support in their recovery journey.
Not a fit: Patients who are not currently struggling with opioid use disorder or those who are not in the early stages of recovery may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel therapeutic tool that significantly improves recovery outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in addiction treatment is a relatively novel approach, preliminary evidence suggests that similar interventions have shown promise in enhancing recovery outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Relate Xr, LLC — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Oberlin, Brandon — Relate Xr, LLC
- Study coordinator: Oberlin, Brandon
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 below.