MAY 15, 2026
Bethany R. Raiff, PhD, BCBA-D
Full Professor, Department of Psychology
Dean’s Fellow for Research and Graduate Affairs,
College of Science and Mathematics
Director, Health and Behavioral Integrated Treatments (HABIT) Research Unit
Rowan University
co-authored by Matthew Mitnick, BS, MA (PhD candidate in Rowan University’s Clinical Psychology Program)
About the Presentation: Nicotine vaping is used by millions of adults in the United States; however, few evidence-based strategies exist for cessation. Exercise can reduce cravings and improve mood in people who use combustible tobacco, but it has not been systematically studied for those who vape nicotine, and adherence to traditional exercise programs is often poor. Delivering an exercise intervention through immersive virtual reality may boost engagement, support cessation efforts among people who vape nicotine, and provide physiological and psychological benefits.
This within-subject pilot study enrolled adults who vape nicotine daily (target N = 22) from Rowan University. Participants completed three virtual reality-based physical activity (VRPA) sessions over a three-week period. Each session consisted of approximately 20 minutes of moderate-intensity activity using Supernatural’s Flow or Boxing formats on a Meta Quest 3 headset. Feasibility, acceptability, and participant experience were assessed, along with exploratory outcomes including changes in nicotine craving, mood disturbance, arousal states, and exercise enjoyment. The results provide preliminary support for the feasibility and acceptability of using VRPA to reduce acute nicotine cravings, improve mood, and increase energy among adults who vape nicotine. Future research, with proper control comparisons, are warranted given these promising preliminary outcomes.
About the Presenter: Dr. Raiff is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology, a Dean’s Fellow for Research and Graduate Affairs in the College of Science and Mathematics, and Director of the Health and Behavioral Integrated Treatments (HABIT) Research Unit at Rowan University in southern New Jersey. Dr. Raiff’s primary research interests include developing and evaluating the integration of technological innovations with behavioral economic interventions addressing an array of topics, including smoking, vaping, opioid use disorder, and physical activity. Dr. Raiff has been the recipient of numerous NIH grants to develop and evaluate smartphone and technology-delivered interventions. She is the past President of Division 25 of the American Psychological Association and a former Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.