NCT07219355 Virtual Reality Lethal Means Safety Training
| NCT ID | NCT07219355 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas at Arlington |
| Condition | Suicide, Attempted |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 36 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-02-23 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-05-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 36 participants in total. It began in 2026-02-23 with a primary completion date of 2026-05-01.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to determine whether a virtual reality (VR) training program can help healthcare providers improve their skills in discussing suicide prevention and safe storage of firearms and medications with Veterans. The study will test whether VR training increases providers' self-efficacy, confidence, and comfort in conducting lethal means safety counseling, and whether it improves their intention to use these counseling practices in their clinical work. Researchers will compare healthcare providers who complete the VR training to those who complete a 2D video training to determine whether the VR approach is more effective. Participants will complete online surveys before and after the training and again three months later. They will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: VR training group: Participants use a VR headset to interact with a virtual Veteran patient in a simulated rural clinic and practice suicide prevention counseling skills; Video training group: Participants use the same headset to watch a \~10-minute 2D video depicting the lethal means safety counseling session. After the training, participants will also provide feedback about their experience, including how realistic and useful they found the training.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 or older * healthcare providers serving rural Veterans in Texas (e.g., physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, healthcare case managers) * English-speaking * Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Self-reported pregnancy * History of motor or balance disorders * Color blindness * Neurological or cognitive disorders * Cardiovascular issues that may be worsened by VR use * Use of cardiac pacemakers, defibrillators, or hearing aids incompatible with VR equipment * Significant discomfort in virtual reality environments (e.g., severe motion sickness, vertigo)
Contact & Investigator
Donna L. Schuman, PhD, LCSW
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07219355 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, studying Suicide, Attempted. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07219355 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07219355 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at donna.schuman@uta.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07219355 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Arlington, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07219355 clinical trial?
NCT07219355 is sponsored by The University of Texas at Arlington. The principal investigator is Donna L. Schuman, PhD, LCSW at University of Texas at Arlington, School of Social Work. The trial plans to enroll 36 participants.