Actively Recruiting
A Virtual Reality Brief Violence Intervention: Preventing Gun Violence Among Violently Injured Adults
Led by Virginia Commonwealth University · Updated on 2025-06-08
220
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
4 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
V
Virginia Commonwealth University
Lead Sponsor
C
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of a new program called Brief Violence Intervention-Virtual Reality (BVI-VR) to reduce firearm-related violence, re-injury, and death among adults who have been injured by violence. This program is being tested in a randomized control trial with adults aged 18 and older who were treated at VCU Health. The study also aims to understand how BVI-VR affects psychological and social factors that might reduce violent behavior, and it will assess the cost-effectiveness of this intervention. BVI-VR is a hospital-based, brief 30-minute intervention that combines positive psychology, motivational goal setting through gameplay, psychoeducation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy. It focuses on empowering patients to make positive choices and find opportunities to improve their well-being within their communities. Participants are randomly assigned to either the BVI-VR group or a treatment-as-usual group that receives a community resource brochure with local service contacts. During the study, participants will complete self-report surveys, clinical assessments, and neurocognitive tests at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after randomization. Researchers will collect data on firearm-related violence, arrests, re-injuries, and mortality from multiple sources including hospital records and criminal background checks. They will also evaluate engagement with the intervention and track psychosocial changes. The total follow-up period for each participant is 6 months.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
A Virtual Reality Brief Violence Intervention: Preventing Gun Violence Among Violently Injured Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Violently injured patients from VCU's Level 1 Trauma Center
- 18 years or older
- English-speaking
You will not qualify if you...
- Under 18 years old
- Not a victim of Violent crime
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single session
Participants receive a brief virtual reality intervention focused on violence prevention or a community resource brochure as part of routine care.
1 session (in-person)
Duration - 6 months
Participants complete assessments related to firearm-related violence, behaviors, and health outcomes at 3 and 6 months post-intervention.
2 follow-up visits (in-person or remote)
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia, United States, 232398
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
N
Nicholas Thomson
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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