Virtual Reality Interventions for ADHD

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that virtual reality (VR) shows promise as a tool to help with ADHD symptoms, particularly in improving attention, motor skills, and cognitive functions in children and adolescents. However, the evidence is still developing, and more large-scale studies are needed to fully understand its effectiveness and how best to use it.

Key findings

• Virtual reality interventions may help improve attention and motor abilities in children with ADHD.
• Immersive virtual reality appears to be beneficial for addressing cognitive difficulties in children with ADHD.
• Exercise interventions delivered through virtual reality could be a helpful approach for young people with ADHD.
• While promising, more research is needed to confirm the overall effectiveness and user experience of immersive VR for cognitive rehabilitation in ADHD.
• A new randomized controlled trial is underway to specifically evaluate a VR program designed to enhance planning and organization skills in daily life for children and adolescents with ADHD.

Studies cited (7)

1. Effect of Virtual Reality Technology on Attention and Motor Ability in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — Yu C, Wang C, Xie Q (2024, JMIR serious games, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.2196/56918 PMCID: PMC11612531

2. Immersive virtual reality for improving cognitive deficits in children with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Corrigan N, Păsărelu CR, Voinescu A (2023, Virtual reality, meta-analysis)

   DOI: 10.1007/s10055-023-00768-1 PMCID: PMC9938513

3. Effects of virtual reality-based exercise intervention in young people with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review — Sun JL, Chaw XJ, Fresnoza S (2025, Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, systematic-review)

   DOI: 10.1186/s12984-025-01671-3 PMCID: PMC12183884

4. Effectiveness and User Experience of Immersive Virtual Reality in Cognitive Rehabilitation for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Systematic Review — Single N, Mishelle Graham W, Kelson J (2025, JMIR mental health, systematic-review)

   DOI: 10.2196/71963 PMCID: PMC12700514

5. ECogFun-virtual reality program for improving planning and organization skills in daily life among children and adolescents with ADHD: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial — Pérez-Rodríguez S, Vidal-Ramírez C, Sawalha O (2025, Research in developmental disabilities, rct)

   DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2025.105075

6. Empowering Social Growth Through Virtual Reality-Based Intervention for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: 3-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial — Wong KP, Zhang B, Lai CYY (2024, JMIR serious games, rct)

   DOI: 10.2196/58963 PMCID: PMC11555456

7. Effectiveness of Social Virtual Reality Training in Enhancing Social Interaction Skills in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Protocol for a Three-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial — Wong KP, Qin J (2023, JMIR research protocols, rct)

   DOI: 10.2196/48208 PMCID: PMC10546265