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.
The goal of this project is to develop and evaluate an evidence-based classroom-based e-cigarette and marijuana vaping prevention videogame for 6th to 8th grade students in three CT middle schools. To determine the preliminary impact of the intervention, investigators will measure the following : 1) students who complete the entire intervention (target outcome \>90%), 2) acceptability of the intervention among 6th-8th grade students and school administration associated with delivery of the intervention (target outcome \>90% report it is acceptable); 3) the intervention will be reported as feasible to implement by school administration(target outcome \>90% report it is feasible); 4) students will increase knowledge of marijuana and nicotine vaping harms (target outcome pre-post knowledge and harm perceptions test score will have a statistically significant increase, 5) students will reduce their intentions to vape (target outcome pre-post intentions to vape will have a statistically significant decrease in scores). Findings from this research study will produce the first theory-driven, evidence-based, novel VR videogame intervention focused on both e-cigarette and marijuana vaping in adolescents, a key population that needs engaging interventions designed specifically for them, and will provide acceptability and preliminary efficacy data to inform a larger-scale effectiveness-implementation trial.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
62
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
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Feasibility Assessed Using Change in Retention Rates
Feasibility will be measured the number of participants that completed the assigned intervention.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: 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.
Time frame: End of Final Gameplay Session, up to 1.5 hrs
Change in Intentions to Use E-cigarettes from Pre- to Post-Intervention
Changes in intentions to use e-cigarettes will be assessed using the Pierce Susceptibility Measure, at the post-gameplay time point which is a 4-item scale with 4-point Likert-type responses ranging from 1 (Definitely yes) to 4 (Definitely not). Total score range 4-16. Higher scores indicate greater intentions to use e-cigarettes.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately following the last gameplay session, up to 1.5 hrs.
Change in Nicotine and Cannabis Harm Perceptions
Change in nicotine and cannabis harm perceptions will be assessed using a 6-item survey created by the research team using a 5-point Likert scale. Total score range is 6-30. Lower scores indicate low harm perceptions.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately following the last gameplay session up to 1.5 hrs.
Changes in Nicotine and Cannabis Vape Knowledge
Changes in nicotine and cannabis vape knowledge will be assessed using an 8-item survey created by the research team. Responses include True, False, and I Don't Know.
Time frame: Baseline and immediately following the last gameplay session, up to 1.5 hrs.
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