- Automated VR simulation produced immediate performance improvements in implementing functional analysis procedures.
- Among six preservice clinicians, two mastered procedures via VR alone; four reached mastery after brief feedback and sustained performance in live role plays.
- Findings indicate VR training can enhance procedural fidelity while reducing training risks and offering scalable, safe, effective training for behaviour analysis practice.
J Appl Behav Anal. 2026 (Fall);59(4):e70082. doi: 10.1002/jaba.70082.
ABSTRACT
Effective training in functional analysis is essential in applied behavior analysis, yet traditional methods may not include adequate practice opportunities. Researchers evaluated an automated virtual reality (VR) simulation designed to teach novice clinicians to implement functional analysis procedures. Six participants completed immersive VR training with automated prompting followed by baseline probe, feedback, and treatment-extension phases. Two participants achieved mastery through VR training alone, whereas four required brief feedback to reach criterion. Immediate performance improvements were observed across participants, and those receiving feedback continued to display mastery-level performance in live role plays during a treatment extension. Results suggest that VR training may enhance procedural fidelity in functional analysis protocols while reducing training risks. Findings support VR as a promising tool for scalable, safe, and effective training in applied behavior analysis practices.
PMID:42665574 | DOI:10.1002/jaba.70082
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