Focus Quest
ADHD affects 1 in 10 children globally, yet traditional therapies often struggle to engage young patients. FocusQuest addresses this gap by leveraging VR’s immersive potential to transform therapy into an interactive adventure. Players navigate dynamic environments, completing tasks that train attention, emotional regulation, and executive functioning—all guided by AI that adapts difficulty in real-time based on biometric feedback.​
This project is innovative in merging evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles with gamified VR, a combination proven in pilot studies to increase engagement and retention in pediatric populations. Our long-term vision is to create a scalable platform for clinics, schools, and home use, with analytics for caregivers. Current milestones include a prototype tested with 20 ADHD children (showing 35% improvement in task persistence) and partnerships with pediatric psychologists. Next steps include expanding levels, refining AI algorithms, and conducting a clinical trial.
FocusQuest: VR Adventures for ADHD Therapy
A VR game designed to help children with ADHD improve focus and emotional regulation through immersive, therapeutic gameplay. Combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with adaptive AI storytelling to create an engaging, evidence-based tool for therapy and skill-building.
Project Summary
​This project is innovative in merging evidence-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) principles with gamified VR, a combination proven in pilot studies to increase engagement and retention in pediatric populations. Our long-term vision is to create a scalable platform for clinics, schools, and home use, with analytics for caregivers. Next steps include expanding levels, refining AI algorithms, and conducting a clinical trial.
Impact Summary
FocusQuest directly advances Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) by offering a non-pharmacological therapeutic tool and Quality Education (SDG 4) by improving classroom readiness. Impact is measured through in-game metrics (attention span, error rates) and caregiver-reported outcomes (Vanderbilt ADHD scales). Preliminary data from our prototype showed measurable improvements in focus and reduced frustration.
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Research underscores VR’s efficacy in ADHD therapy (e.g., 2022 Journal of Medical Internet Research study showing VR-based training improved attention by 27%). Collaborating with ChildMind Institute, we ensure our design aligns with clinical best practices. Post-launch, we aim to partner with 50 clinics and schools within two years, targeting underserved communities through subsidized headset programs.
