Evaluation of a virtual reality E-cigarette prevention game for adolescents.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE\nTo test preliminary efficacy and acceptability of Invite Only VR: A Vaping Prevention Game (Invite Only VR), an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) prevention game that uses virtual reality (VR) hardware.\n\n\nMETHODS\n285 adolescents (146 boys; ages 11-14; M\xa0=\xa012.45\xa0years; SD\xa0=\xa00.57) were enrolled in this non-equivalent control groups design through their middle school. Participants who played Invite Only VR for 1.5\xa0h were compared to treatment as usual at 4 timepoints: baseline, post gameplay, 3 and 6\xa0months. Evidence of the efficacy of the game to influence e-cigarette use, e-cigarette knowledge, nicotine addiction knowledge, perceived addictiveness of e-cigarettes, perceived likelihood of using e-cigarettes, perceptions of harm, self-efficacy to refuse, social approval of e-cigarettes, and e-cigarette social perceptions was assessed using mixed between-within subjects ANOVAS. Intervention acceptability was indicated by measures of gameplay experience/satisfaction, VR experience, and perceived responsibility for game-based decisions.\n\n\nRESULTS\nFrom baseline to 6\xa0months, Invite Only VR players improved in e-cigarette knowledge, nicotine addiction knowledge, perceived addictiveness of e-cigarettes, perceptions of harm, and social perceptions about e-cigarette use compared to the control group. No significant changes were observed for the other dependent variables, including e-cigarette use. Ratings of gameplay experience and satisfaction, VR experience, and game-based decisions were high.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nInvite Only VR may help players develop knowledge about e-cigarettes and nicotine addiction, as well as encourage the development of healthy harm and social perceptions regarding e-cigarette use that persist 6\xa0months beyond gameplay. Adolescents satisfaction with the VR gameplay indicates preliminary intervention acceptability.