How Virtual Reality Can Help Neurodivergent Children Improve Their Attention

NCT ID: NCT07341204

Last Updated: 2026-01-14

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 40 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2026-02-02
• Study Completion Date: 2026-04-06

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to determine whether playing a virtual reality (VR) game can help neurodivergent children pay attention for extended periods. The study includes children ages 9 to 18 who have autism, ADHD, learning differences, or movement coordination challenges. The program lasts for 6 weeks. During this period, children will play a VR game twice per week, with each session lasting 25 minutes.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study is to investigate the impact of an immersive virtual reality (VR) game intervention on sustained attention in neurodivergent children aged 9 to 18 years. This project aligns with previous study dosages designed as a 6-week program targeting children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disorder (SLD), or developmental coordination disorder (DCD) (neurodivergent disorders). Participants will be recruited through convenience sampling in the local community and will participate in two 25-minute VR sessions per week for 6 weeks.

This study examines the effectiveness of a VR-based attention-training program by comparing pre- and post-intervention data using the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and the Right Eye assessment. Repeated-measures ANOVA will be used to evaluate changes in sustained attention, including omission rates and response times. The findings will provide insight into how immersive VR games can enhance attention and engagement in daily activities among neurodivergent children, thereby facilitating the integration of technology-based interventions into therapeutic practice.

Conditions

Autism; Autism Disorder; ADHD - Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity; Attention Deficit Disorder

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NON_RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Does participation in a 6-week VR-based program improve attentional skills in neurodiverse children?

The research design comprises a nonequivalent quasi-experimental, multi-group pre- and post-test design (neurodivergent and neurotypical). The pre-test and post-test will consist of the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA) and the RightEye assessment. These measures will be administered at the clinical site (ISF). The intervention consists of two 25-minute VR sessions per week for 6 weeks.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Virtual Reality

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in an immersive virtual reality (VR) game intervention designed to improve visual attention skills. The intervention employs a VR game called Electrical Maze, which requires players to maintain sustained visual attention and respond to game challenges that develop focus and inhibitory control.

Each participant will complete scheduled VR gaming sessions that target attentional skill development. During the sessions, children interact with the Electrical Maze game, which presents visual tasks that require them to identify and respond to specific visual cues while inhibiting responses to non-target stimuli.

Interventions

Virtual Reality

Participants will engage in an immersive virtual reality (VR) game intervention designed to improve visual attention skills. The intervention employs a VR game called Electrical Maze, which requires players to maintain sustained visual attention and respond to game challenges that develop focus and inhibitory control.

Each participant will complete scheduled VR gaming sessions that target attentional skill development. During the sessions, children interact with the Electrical Maze game, which presents visual tasks that require them to identify and respond to specific visual cues while inhibiting responses to non-target stimuli.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Clinical diagnosis of ASD, ADHD, SLD, or DCD confirmed by a licensed clinician or documented in medical/educational records (DSM-5 or equivalent).
• Parent/guardian consent and participant assent (age-appropriate).
• Ability to follow simple verbal instructions and to participate in 25-minute VR sessions twice weekly for 6 weeks.
• Stable medication regimen for attention- or behavior-related medications for ≥4 weeks prior to baseline (or not taking such medications).
• Visual and auditory ability adequate for VR tasks (with or without usual corrective lenses/hearing aids).
• Availability to attend all scheduled sessions at the clinical site across the 6-week period.

Exclusion Criteria

• History of photosensitive epilepsy or any uncontrolled seizure disorder.
• Severe intellectual disability or severe communication impairment that prevents understanding/participation (e.g., non-responsive to simple commands required by the VR tasks).
• Severe visual, auditory, or motor impairment that prevents safe or functional use of the VR system (e.g., inability to hold controllers or view the headset even with correction).
• Recent (within 6 months) significant brain injury or neurosurgery. Significant history of motion sickness, severe vestibular disorder, or prior intolerance to immersive VR.
• Any medical or implanted device contraindicated for VR/headset use (if applicable).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 9 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

New York Institute of Technology

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc.

Old Westbury, New York, United States

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Alexander Lopez, JD, OT/L

Role: CONTACT

alopez@nyit.edu

16312525776

Facility Contacts

Alexander Lopez

Role: primary

alopez@nyit.edu

6312525776

Other Identifiers

NYIT IRB-2026-367

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id