Using Virtual Reality to help young adults reduce heavy drinking
Official title: Using Virtual Reality to help develop discrepancy and elicit change talk in brief motivational interventions for heavy drinking young adults
Funded at Brown University · NIH-10976774 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how virtual reality can help young adults think about their drinking habits and motivate them to cut back on alcohol by creating engaging experiences that spark meaningful conversations about their goals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $618,932 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AA031282-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10976774 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults under 21 who are experiencing issues related to heavy drinking.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not struggling with alcohol consumption or who are not interested in changing their drinking behavior may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how virtual reality (VR) can enhance brief motivational interventions (BMIs) aimed at helping young adults reduce their alcohol consumption. By creating immersive experiences, the study aims to encourage participants to reflect on the discrepancies between their drinking habits and their personal goals. The approach involves engaging participants in VR scenarios that promote meaningful discussions about their behaviors and aspirations, potentially leading to greater motivation for change. The study will assess the effectiveness of these VR-enhanced interventions compared to traditional methods.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel and effective tool for young adults struggling with heavy drinking, leading to improved health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While VR has shown promise in treating various behavioral and mental health issues, its application in addressing hazardous drinking is still relatively novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wray, Tyler Blake — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Wray, Tyler Blake
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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.