A Virtual Reality Game to Prevent E-cigarette and Cannabis Vaping

NCT07413432 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2000025177_sub3
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 62
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to develop and test an adapted version of our virtual reality videogame intervention prototype, Invite Only VR, developed for middle school students, which focuses on e-cigarette and marijuana vaping prevention. The game also includes a focus on emotion regulation and healthy coping skills. To determine the preliminary impact of the intervention, investigators will collect acceptability and feasibility data from 6th-8th grade students across three Connecticut middle schools. Investigators will also collect data on participants' knowledge, harm perceptions, and intentions to vape before and after they have played the videogame intervention.

Conditions

Cannabis; Vaping; Emotion Regulation

Keywords

vaping; cannabis; prevention; videogame; virtual reality; adolescents; emotion regulation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Feasibility Assessed Using Change in Retention Rates

  Feasibility will be measured the number of participants that completed the assigned intervention.

  From enrollment to the end of the last gameplay session, up to 1.5 hrs

• Acceptability Assessed Via Self-reported Survey

  Acceptability of the intervention is assessed via self-reported survey at the post-gameplay time point using the game experience and satisfaction questionnaire, which is a 12-item scale custom-created for this study with 4-point Likert-type responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree). Total score range 12-42. Higher scores indicate stronger agreement with the statement.

  End of Final Gameplay Session, up to 1.5 hrs

• Usability of the Intervention Assessed via Self-Reported Survey

  Usability of the intervention will be assessed via self-reported survey at the post-gameplay time point using the System Usability Scale (SUS), which is a 10-item scale with 5-point Likert-type responses ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Total score range 10-50. Higher scores indicate stronger agreement with the statement.

  End of Final Gameplay Session, up to 1.5 hrs

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Change in Intentions to Use E-cigarettes from Pre- to Post-Intervention

  Baseline and immediately following the last gameplay session, up to 1.5 hrs.

• Change in Nicotine and Cannabis Harm Perceptions

  Baseline and immediately following the last gameplay session up to 1.5 hrs.

• Changes in Nicotine and Cannabis Vape Knowledge

  Baseline and immediately following the last gameplay session, up to 1.5 hrs.

Study Arms (1)

Invite Only VR Intervention Only Group

EXPERIMENTAL

All participants in the study will play the virtual reality videogame intervention, Invite Only VR. The game was developed for middle school students and focuses on e-cigarette and cannabis vaping prevention. The game also includes content and skill-development related to emotion regulation and healthy coping.

Behavioral: Virtual reality videogame intervention for vaping prevention

Interventions

Virtual reality videogame intervention for vaping prevention BEHAVIORAL

Invite Only VR is an immersive virtual reality game designed to help adolescents build knowledge, awareness, and refusal skills around vaping through interactive, story-based social scenarios. The latest version expands its focus to include both nicotine and cannabis vaping, offering players realistic opportunities to navigate peer pressure and practice informed decision-making

Also known as: Invite Only VR

Invite Only VR Intervention Only Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 11 Years - 15 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• enrolled at a participating middle school in CT
• speak English
• attending 6th, 7th, or 8th grade
• be willing to play a virtual reality videogame for 45-60 minutes/session
• ability to provide assent or parental/guardian consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Yale University: lead
• CT Department of Public Health: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Yale School of Medicine

New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Marijuana Abuse; Vaping; Emotional Regulation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Substance-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders; Smoking; Behavior; Self-Control; Social Behavior

Study Officials

• Kimberly Hieftje, PhD

  Yale University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Deepa Camenga, MD

  Yale University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: Single-group pre-post quasi-experimental study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 20, 2025
• First Posted: February 17, 2026
• Study Start: September 26, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 15, 2025
• Study Completion: December 30, 2025
• Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)