Virtual reality and simulator training to reduce distracted driving in teens with ADHD

Improving ADHD Teen Driving - Virtual Reality

This program will test two training approaches—one using virtual reality and one using a driving simulator—to help licensed teens with ADHD keep their eyes on the road and reduce crash risk.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 204 (estimated)
• Ages: 16 Years to 19 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Trial ID: NCT06960980 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional program compares the existing FOCAL+ simulator training with a new VR-FOCAL+ version designed to be lower-cost and easier to deliver. Both approaches train teens to reduce long glances away from the roadway during secondary tasks and measure gaze behavior and driving performance in simulated assessments. Participants are licensed drivers aged 16–19 with DSM-diagnosed ADHD, an IQ ≥80, and regular unsupervised driving, with a parent willing to participate. Outcomes include reductions in extended off-road glances and driving performance measures related to lane position and crash/near-crash events.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Licensed teens aged 16–19 who meet DSM criteria for ADHD, drive unsupervised at least 3 hours per week, have an IQ ≥80, and have a parent willing to take part.

Not a fit: Teens who cannot pause ADHD or psychotropic medications for assessment days, are at risk for motion sickness, have significant neurological injury, substance dependence, or require glasses to see the secondary tasks may not be eligible or benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the training could reduce long distracted glances and lower crash risk for teen drivers with ADHD.

How similar studies have performed: Prior randomized work with the original FOCAL+ program showed about 41% fewer long glances and roughly 40% lower crash/near-crash risk over a year compared with control training.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Aged 16-19.
2. Teens will meet DSM ADHD criteria for ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive Presentation or ADHD-Combined Presentation based on the K-SADS interview.
3. Possess a valid driver's license and regularly spend at least 3 hours per week engaged in unsupervised driving.
4. IQ ≥80 as measured by the Kauffman Brief Intelligence Scale - Second Edition (KBIT-2).
5. Parent willing to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. On ADHD medication that cannot be washed out on assessment days.
2. Drug or alcohol dependence based on self-report on the Simple Screening Instrument for Alcohol and Other Drugs survey.
3. On psychotropic or neuroleptic medications.
4. At-risk for motion sickness in the driving simulator or in virtual reality.
5. History of moderate to severe head trauma, neurological disorder, or any other organic disorder that could possibly affect brain function.
6. Cannot see the secondary task stimuli without the use of glasses (contacts acceptable).

Where this trial is running

Cincinnati, Ohio

• Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center — Cincinnati, Ohio, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Jeff N Epstein, Ph.D. — Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati
• Study coordinator: Clinical Research Coordinator

Conditions Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Visual attention; Automobile Driving