Using virtual reality to prevent gun violence among youth.
Official title: Preventing Gun Violence Among Youth: An RCT of a Virtual Reality Intervention.
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10893252 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun virtual reality program called Elevate VR that helps young people who have been hurt by gun violence learn about the dangers of violence and how to stay safe, all while they’re in the hospital.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $768,488 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HD112416-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10893252 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are youth aged 10-19 who have been hospitalized due to firearm-related injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of firearm-related violence or those outside the targeted age group may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop and implement a virtual reality (VR) intervention called Elevate VR, designed to engage high-risk youth who have experienced firearm-related injuries. By utilizing immersive storytelling and gameplay, the program seeks to educate these individuals about the consequences of violence and provide them with tools to avoid future incidents. The intervention will be conducted in hospital settings, targeting youth who are often difficult to reach through traditional methods. The goal is to reduce both the perpetration and victimization of firearm-related violence among this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce incidents of gun violence among youth, ultimately saving lives and improving community safety.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using virtual reality for behavioral interventions, indicating potential success for this innovative approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomson, Nicholas David — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Thomson, Nicholas David
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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.