Assessing usability and acceptability of a VR digital therapeutic for treatment of substance use disorders

The co-occurrence of opioid use disorder (OUD) and other substance use creates treatment challenges, yet evidence-based nonpharmacological interventions remain limited. This study examined the preliminary acceptability and usability of HelixVR^™, a virtual reality-based digital therapeutic designed as an adjunct to substance use treatment. HelixVR^™ enables individuals with histories of substance use disorders to engage safely with personalized substance-related cues in immersive environments, reducing ethical and safety concerns associated with real-world exposure. Twelve peer support specialists in sustained recovery and 11 licensed substance use treatment providers evaluated HelixVR^™ for usability, acceptability, and adverse effects, including cybersickness. Participants reported acceptable usability and minimal cybersickness. Independent-samples t tests assessed differences by role and demographic characteristics. Participants aged 40 and older reported significantly less cybersickness than younger participants, while no other significant differences emerged. Findings support the usability and acceptability of HelixVR^™ as an adjunctive intervention for individuals with OUD and co-occurring substance use.