Integration of Virtual Reality Mindfulness Application Within a Mobile-Based Recovery Platform to Support Rehab and Post-Rehab Engagement

ABSTRACT Post treatment substance use disorderSUDrelapse rates are highat one yearwith relapse occurring earlymedian time to relapsemonthsindicating that the transition period from inpatient care to the home environment is particularly challenging for patients seeking sobrietyTelehealth and VR technologies have the ability to greatly increase the accessibility of highly engaging recovery supportCombining these two approaches provides a unique opportunity to create a highly engagingcost effective take home recovery support solution targeting the critical transition from inpatient careSober Grid proposes to leverage its existing highly accessible social and peer coaching mobile recovery appto develop a convenient and cost effective integrated take home combined VR and professional peer coaching recovery support interventionRecoVRithat begins in the inpatient clinicRecoVRi is designed to increase engagement with recovery therapy during the critical transition from inpatient to homethereby reducing the risk of relapse and associated health and monetary costsSober Grid is collaborating with TRIPPIncto utilize TRIPP s immersive wellness platformThe design of the TRIPP experience leverages a large body of existing research on the use of VR technology in the mental wellness arena and utilizes proven mindfulness structurestargeted sound frequenciesvisuals and interactions that have a multiplicative effect when administered through immersionThe Sober Grid Network will create a support wrapper to the VR experience that facilitates access to crisis management experts and community for the person in early recoveryThe unique combination of a personalized and targeted self regulation toolkit and community and professional support is a key differentiator for this serviceIn phase I of the projectwe will develop and pilot test a proof of concept RecoVRi VR mindfulness protocol and intervention to ascertain feasibility and acceptabilityAimIn phase II of the projecta production quality intervention will be developed with new VR content created by the TRIPP development team specifically targeting themes supporting recovery from alcoholstimulant and opioid SUD separatelyAimWe will then test post treatment recovery support engagement in the RecoVRi intervention in comparison to treatment as usual in a randomized comparison trial involvingpatients receiving inpatient treatment and transitioning to the home settingAimOver the span of both phaseswe will seek regulatory guidance from the FDA in order to attain clearance for use of the RecoVRi intervention as a therapeutic medical deviceAimNARRATIVE Substance use treatment research findings indicate that the transition period from inpatient care to the home environment is particularly challenging for patients seeking sobrietySober Grid proposes to leverage its highly accessible social and peer coaching mobile recovery app to develop and test a convenient and cost effectiveintegratedtake home combinedvirtual reality and professional peer coaching recovery support interventionRecoVRidesigned to increase engagement with recovery therapy during the critical transition from the inpatient clinic to home