Development and Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Tool for At-Risk Trauma-Exposed Young People

Launched by MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · Apr 13, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on developing and testing a new virtual reality tool designed to help young people who are at risk for substance use problems and HIV infection, especially those who have faced trauma in their lives. The goal is to understand how to improve this tool to best support young men who have sex with men and adolescents dealing with substance use disorders. Participants in the study will include young individuals aged 15 to 30 who have experienced traumatic events, such as violence or abuse, and who are living in the Charleston, SC area. Frontline healthcare workers who support these young people will also be part of the study.

To be eligible, young men must identify as being romantically or physically attracted to men and have experienced at least one traumatic event. Adolescents with substance use issues must have used substances recently and also have a history of trauma. Participants can expect to engage with the virtual reality tool in a safe and supportive environment, helping researchers learn how to make it more effective. It's important to note that individuals with certain mental health issues or those who experience severe motion sickness won't be able to participate. This study aims to create better resources for at-risk youth, making a positive impact on their health and well-being.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for YMSM are as follows:
• • Someone who identifies as a YMSM or identifies as someone with romantic or physical attraction to individuals who identify as men
• • Is aged 15-30 years
• • Have experienced at least one ITE in lifetime (i.e., sexual assault, physical assault, witnessed domestic or community violence)
• • Report being consensually sexually active or planning to become sexually active with a partner in the next 12 months
• • Live in the Charleston, SC/Tri-county area
• Inclusion Criteria for adolescents with SUD are as follows:
• • Someone who reports using substances in the past year (for participants ages 15-17) or the past 6 months (for participants ages 18-30)
• • Is aged 15-30 years
• • Have experienced at least one ITE in lifetime (i.e., sexual assault, physical assault, witnessed domestic or community violence)
• • Report being consensually sexually active or planning to become sexually active with a partner in the next 12 months
• • Live in the Charleston, SC/Tri-county area
• Inclusion Criteria for front line healthcare workers are as follows:
• • works directly with adolescents who have experienced ITE and/or
• • works directly with adolescents or young adults with SUD and/or
• • works directly with YMSM and/or
• • works directly with and/or adolescent or young adults who are HIV-positive
• Exclusion Criteria for all participants are as follows:
• • exhibits psychotic symptoms;
• • exhibits significant cognitive disability;
• • reports a history of Pervasive Developmental Disorder;
• • has active suicidal or homicidal ideations
• • self-reports high levels of motion sickness