A Virtual Reality E-cigarette Prevention and Emotion Regulation Intervention for Adolescents

E-cigarette Prevention and Emotion Regulation: Virtual Reality Intervention for Adolescents

This study will examine E-Invite Only VR, a novel school-based universal e-cigarette prevention intervention that uses virtual reality (VR) to deliver prevention and emotion regulation skills-building content to middle school students in real-world classrooms. If successful, E-invite Only VR has the potential to prevent adolescents from experiencing a multitude of poor health outcomes related to nicotine vaping, including cancer.

After the 12-month follow-up period, schools in the control arm will receive access to the E-Invite Only VR intervention, allowing students and staff to utilize the program as part of their regular health education curriculum.

The clinical trial portion of this study will be informed by preliminary focus groups and surveys.

Inclusion Criteria

• Enrolled in the 8th grade in one of the 20 partner middle schools (8 in Connecticut, 12 in Massachusetts).
• Willing to participate in a VR videogame for approximately 45 minutes per session, accumulating 2-2.5 hours of total gameplay across multiple class periods.
• Able to provide assent and obtain parental/guardian consent before participating in the study.

Exclusion Criteria

• Students not enrolled in 8th grade at one of the participating schools.
• Students who are unwilling or unable to participate in VR gameplay for the required duration.
• Students who cannot provide assent or do not have parental/guardian consent to participate .