Viral Combat — a mobile game to help people stay on PrEP
A Multisite Randomized Trial of Viral Combat: A Mobile Gaming App to Improve Adherence to PrEP
A mobile game designed to help teens and young adults (ages 15–34) take their HIV-prevention pills regularly.
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 ID | NIH-11181260 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, I'll be one of 200 people ages 15–34 getting PrEP care at clinics in Jackson, MS or in Providence/Boston, MA. I'll be randomly assigned to use the Viral Combat mobile game or to receive usual care, and the team will follow me over time to see how well I stick with my medication. The study will collect dried blood spots to measure drug levels and will use interviews and implementation methods to learn what helps clinics use the app. The aim is to see whether the game helps people stay on PrEP and how it can be rolled out in real clinics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 15–34 who are starting or already taking PrEP at participating clinics in Jackson, MS or Providence/Boston, MA.
Not a fit: People who are not on PrEP, are outside the 15–34 age range, or who do not have access to a compatible smartphone or clinic visits may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could help people take PrEP more regularly and lower their risk of acquiring HIV.
How similar studies have performed: A smaller randomized trial with 69 participants showed promising adherence improvements, but this larger multisite test is needed to confirm those results.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whiteley, Laura B — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Whiteley, Laura B
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.