Development and Testing of a Self-Paced Virtual Reality-Based Naloxone Training

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Public Health
• Immersive Technologies

Background:

• Increased naloxone availability necessitates scalable training solutions.
• Current training methods face challenges in improving self-efficacy and reducing anxiety for laypersons.
• A gap exists in interactive platforms for overdose reversal training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a self-paced Virtual Reality Naloxone Training (VeNT) program.
• To assess the usability and acceptability of VeNT among diverse participants.
• To enhance self-efficacy and reduce anxiety in responding to opioid overdoses.

Main Methods:

• Developed a mixed reality (MR) application, VeNT, using Apple Vision Pro.
• Field tested VeNT in various settings with 25 diverse participants.
• Utilized pre-post surveys and qualitative interviews to assess effectiveness.

Main Results:

• VeNT significantly improved knowledge of overdose recognition and confidence in naloxone administration.
• Participants reported increased intent to help and reduced uncertainty during overdose events.
• VeNT was perceived as more engaging and effective than traditional training methods.

Conclusions:

• VeNT provides a cost-effective, scalable solution for naloxone training.
• Mixed reality-based training demonstrates feasibility and engagement for diverse populations.
• VeNT effectively boosts knowledge and confidence in overdose response.