# Virtual Reality Tools to Enhance Evidence Based Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Optional)

> **NIH NIH R41** · THE GLIMPSE GROUP, INC. · 2020 · $218,097

## Abstract

R&R Other Project Information
7. Project Summary/Abstract
Neurobiological changes caused by addiction impair behavioral control and increase relapse
risk (Volkow, Koob, & McLellan, 2016), substantiating the need for long-term care coordination
and recovery engagement for individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) (Humphreys,
Malenka, Knutson, & MacCoun, 2017). Because addiction creates stress and reward system
dysregulation impairing emotional regulation and executive functioning capacities when
experiencing intense craving (Volkow, Koob & McLellan, 2016), traditional didactic relapse
prevention strategies may have limited efficacy for those in early recovery when they transition
back to their natural communities’ post-discharge from treatment, where they will be exposed to
SUD-related stimuli. New recovery support models that detect implicit cue-induced
neurophysiological dysregulation and restore real-time regulatory capacity to decrease relapse
risk are of clinical significance. ​This feasibility Phase I study will use Virtual Reality (VR)
technology to 1) simulate a patient-specific drug cue-triggering experience (VR_drug) to
calibrate a personalized neurophysiological relapse risk set-point, captured in-session using
fNIRS (​Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy​) sensors, a portable alternative to fMRI which will
be integrated into the VR HMD (Head Mounted Display),​ and physiological sensors (smartwatch
Empatica E4) worn during the VR_drug scenario ​(Aim 1); ​and 2) simulate a recovery-regulation
experience (VR_recovery) using patient-specific virtually-generated sober-supportive
relationships, recovery-enhanced environmental conditions, and recovery-associated sensory
cues, to calibrate a recovery-regulated neurophysiological set-point, captured by the same
in-session neurophysiological sensors systems ​(Aim 2)​. If successful, in Phase II, a mobile
recovery support system product will be developed to help individuals in SUD recovery
modulate real-time craving by monitoring their personalized neurophysiological relapse risk and
activating their recovery-regulation intervention (VR_recovery) to alter urge reactivity in
real-time. This type of mobile intervention that is immediately available to individuals in recovery
as they leave treatment institutions and transition back into their natural communities may help
manage in-the-moment drug urges in ways that allow engagement in other recovery-related
activities (e.g., calling a sponsor, getting to a meeting), decreasing real-time relapse risk
(Matto,& Seshaiyer, 2018; Matto, 2015; Matto, et al, 2014).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9898050
- **Project number:** 1R41DA050225-01
- **Recipient organization:** THE GLIMPSE GROUP, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Erik Muendel
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $218,097
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-15 → 2022-08-14

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9898050

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9898050, Virtual Reality Tools to Enhance Evidence Based Treatment of Substance Use Disorders (R41/R42 - Clinical Trial Optional) (1R41DA050225-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9898050. Licensed CC0.

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