Do Low Cost Virtual Reality Devices Support Learning Acquisition?

A 13-year-old boy presented with an 8-year history of recurrent facial dermatitis. He had a history of atopic eczema and had developed intermittent swelling, redness and scaling of the face for several years, initially thought to be related to sunscreen exposure but more recently associated with prolonged time wearing his virtual reality (VR) headset. The distribution of the rash over the cheeks coincided with areas in contact with the headset rubber foam padding. Patch testing to the British Society for Cutaneous Allergy standard series, facial series, photoallergen series and a sample from the headset foam showed positive reactions to carba mix 3% (day 2+, day 4++), methylchloroisothiazolinone with methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) 0.02% (day 2+, day 4+), methylisothiazolinone (MI) 0.2% (day 2+, day 4+), 2-bromo-2-nitropropane 0.5% (day 2+, day 4+), methyldibromoglutaronitrile 0.3% (day 2−, day 4+), benzisothiazolinone 0.1% (day 2+, day 4+), propolis (day 2−, day 4+) and the patient’s own VR headset sample as is (day 2+, day 4+). Carba mix was felt to be relevant to the sponge rubber headset padding, which was also positive on testing. 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane was of current relevance to use of a facial ‘cooling spray’ containing this preservative. The other reactions were of unknown relevance. Avoidance of the headset led to complete resolution of symptoms. The VR company has since provided a cover for the padding, which has allowed our patient to wear the device without flaring his skin. The UK has one of Europe’s largest gaming markets, with projections indicating a surge in video game users from 51.2 million in 2023 to an estimated 57.6 million by 2027. Approximately 56% of the UK population engages in gaming, with most notably the demographic aged 16–24 years reporting 88% engagement in video games, and 68% of individuals aged 7–18 years owning gaming consoles. VR headsets are currently utilized by only 1% of children aged 3–15 years, hindered by the substantial price tag of £1420 for some VR headsets. However, the availability of more affordable alternatives will drive increased usage. Virtual meetings and working from home are becoming commonplace, widening potential exposure to VR headsets in the workplace. Gaming controllers are reported to cause ACD, as well as ‘PlayStation thumb’, with desquamation, lichenified hyperkeratotic papules and fissures on the lateral aspect of the thumbs. PlayStation palmar hidradenitis manifests with discrete, erythematous, tender nodules over the finger pulps and the palmar aspects of both hands, caused by repeated trauma while gaming. To our knowledge, ACD caused by a VR headset has not been previously reported. We would like to highlight this potential new source of ACD to the gaming and wider working population.

Virtual Reality (VR) technology has rapidly evolved in recent years, offering immersive experiences that transcend traditional boundaries of entertainment, education, training, healthcare, and various other sectors. At the heart of this technological revolution lies the VR headset, a device that serves as the gateway to virtual worlds. The user satisfaction with VR headsets is a critical aspect that significantly impacts the adoption, acceptance, and success of VR technology as a whole. This dissertation aims to delve deep into understanding the factors influencing user satisfaction with VR headsets, drawing insights from existing literature and empirical studies. By examining the hardware specifications, software content, comfort, usability, and overall experience of VR headsets, this dissertation seeks to contribute to the enhancement of VR technology and user experience.

Background The aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of a teacher affects learning related outcomes in teaching basic surgical tasks with a Virtual Reality (VR) headset. Methods 26 fourth-year medical studentsparticipated in a voluntary exercise. Students practiced basic surgical procedure exercises using the VR4HEALTHCARE application in VR with OCULUS Rift S glasses. 12 students performed the exercises under the guidance of a teacher and 14 without the teacher present. After the exercise, the groups filled out a feedback form. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 software using the Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate analysis of variance. Results The most important data collected related to whether the student learned something new and whether VR adds value to medical education. Ratings were based on a scale of 0–10 (0 = worst, 10 = best). When the teacher was present, on average, the students felt that they were learning something new and gave an average rating of 7.8 ± 1.8, and when the teacher was not present 5.3 ± 2.6 (p = 0.003). VR added value to teaching with a rating of 7.8 ± 1.7 when the teacher was present and 5.5 ± 3.0 when not present (p = 0.045). This study also analyzed specific use of VR for abscess incision, suturing and insertion of a suprapubic catheter. Discussion When a teacher was present VR added value to teaching and the usefulness and usability of VR was experienced more positively. The student should also have adequate knowledge of the subject to be taught before VR training. Conclusions VR adds value to teaching, but VR exercises may not completely replace high-quality traditional teaching methods. Consequently, it is important to determine the differences between VR and traditional teaching methods and how to combine these methods in the future.

Growing research has found that exposing patients to forest landscapes through technology improves their health. However, studies on the effects of nature therapy sessions on particularly vulnerable groups that require frequent regular treatment such as patients of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is lacking. This study aims to understand the effects of watching panoramic videos of forest walks through virtual reality (VR) headsets on patients. We also examine the effects of the frequency of virtual exposure to forests on the physiological and psychological parameters of patients undergoing dialysis. Twenty-four dialysis patients with a mean age of 65.11 year underwent a virtual nature intervention over the course of 3 weeks. The intervention consists of 3 numbers of 6-min 360-degree nature videos delivered using VR headsets. We measured heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate (HR) using continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring and assessed their emotional states using a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. The results showed that the initial 6 min of watching of the panoramic videos through VR headsets resulted in significantly reduced HR and sympathetic nerve activity and increased positive emotional responses. However, repeated VR exposure did not further improve the physiological health of the respondents. Considering these results, the use of VR headsets to watch 6-min nature videos indoors can be used to enhance the positive psychological responses among dialysis and bed-ridden patients. As this study is preliminary, future random controlled trials are needed to compare and determine the best dose, content, and delivery methods of such an intervention.

Effect of economically friendly acustimulation approach against cybersickness in video-watching tasks using consumer virtual reality devices

The Reality of Virtual Reality in Echocardiography Education?

This review assesses the risk of a photic-induced seizure in a child during viewing of 3D (binocular 3 dimensional, stereoscopic) movies or games, either on standard video displays or when wearing a virtual reality (VR) headset. Studies published by pediatric epilepsy experts emphasize the low risk of 3D viewing even for children with known photosensitive epilepsy (PSE). The low incidence of PSE is noteworthy because the number of hours devoted to 2D or 3D screen viewing and/or VR headset use by children worldwide has increased markedly over the last decade. The medical literature does not support the notion that VR headset use poses a risk for PSE.

Visual fatigue induced by watching virtual reality device and the effect of anisometropia

<h3>Background</h3> Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated world that can make you feel like you are there, immersing you in environments like a beach or a city. Evidence suggests that VR may help people with incurable illnesses by reducing symptoms like pain and enhancing well-being (Lloyd, Haraldsdottir. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2021;11(3):344–50; Mo, Vickerstaff, Minton, et al. Palliat Med. 2022;36(7):1047–58). More hospices are using VR with patients alongside the personalised care they already provide. However, little is known about how many hospices use VR or how it is perceived by staff. <h3>Aim</h3> To understand how many hospices use VR and how hospice staff feel about this technology. <h3>Method</h3> An online survey was sent to adult, independent hospices in the UK (N=186). The survey was open between October 2024 and June 2025. Hospices were contacted by email and phone. Only one response per hospice was permitted, and questions were open and closed-ended. Ethical approval was given by UCL (26971/001). <h3>Results</h3> As of May 2025, 60 hospices (32%) responded to the survey. Of these, 31 (52%) did not own a VR headset. The main barriers to purchasing VR included a lack of funding (40%), high equipment costs (33%), and insufficient resources to implement (27%). Among the hospices that owned VR headsets, 17 (28%) did not use them, citing a lack of training and limited capacity. Hospices that used VR employed it to address various symptoms, including boredom (62%), anxiety (52%), and chronic pain (31%). Staff viewed VR as a novel tool for enabling patients to experience activities they can no longer do, but had concerns about cost and sustainability. <h3>Conclusions</h3> These findings provide early insights into staff attitudes towards VR in hospices, including potential benefits of VR and staff concerns about its implementation. This information will help hospices decide whether using VR with patients is appropriate.

One of the main difficulties in teleoperated systems is providing an operator with sufficient Situational Awareness (SA). This paper introduces three open-source packages that improve the operator's SA using the Robot Operating System (ROS). The first package-rviz_textured_sphere-allows rendering panospheric camera outputs as spherical images in the ROS visualization software RViz. A system where the visualization of this spherical data using an open-source virtual reality (OSVR) headset in the ROS framework is achieved with the second package: rviz_plugin_osvr. Finally, the third package-pointcloud_painter-projects spherical data onto a 3D depth cloud scan of the scene generated from a rotating lidar. This package outputs a XYZRGB pointcloud that can be visualized either in RViz or using the virtual reality headset. Together, these technologies address the wider issue of limited SA in robotics and represent a substantial advancement in the environment visualization capabilities available to open-source robotics developers.

Virtual reality (VR) devices are increasingly being utilized within operating theaters and intensive care units where appropriate sanitation is vital to ensure that patients do not unnecessarily acquire hospital‐associated infections. The morphology of VR devices in conjunction with the variety of materials and internal components provides challenges to their repurposing. This study aimed to evaluate the microorganisms remaining on VR headsets following sanitation by laboratory staff in a medical education anatomy teaching facility. The external components and internal facial interface were swabbed and separately cultured on four AGAR plates (Horse Blood, Nutrient, bile Esculin, and Mannitol Salt). Colonies were counted, sampled, pooled and subsequently processed for shotgun metagenomic sequencing. A higher number of colonies were present on surfaces closest to the eyes and facial interface compared to the external components. Metagenomic analysis identified 27 pathogenic bacteria including 4 “ESKAPE” pathogens (Enterobacter sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp. and, Escherichia coli) and numerous organisms associated with ocular infections. A broad range of antimicrobial resistance genes were identified conveying resistance to Methicillin, Aminoglycosides, Macrolides, Tetracyclines, and Polymixins. Further research is required to ensure that current sanitization practices of VR head mounted displays are appropriate within high‐risk hospital settings.

Nature is nowadays considered the most restorative environment. A brief exposure to a (real or virtual) nature environment help people to restore cognitive and affective resources. However, (1) the precise mechanism through nature support restorative process is undervalued in literature; (2) testing the possibility that a virtual reality (VR) device can evoke similar outcomes as real nature, the usability of such devices become an important factor to consider in the research. In this study we hypothesize a moderation effect of usability of device on the relationship between perceived restorative potential (PRP) of the environment and restorative outcomes (emotional and cognitive). 114 Italian students (83% female, mean (ds) age = 22.38 (6.50)) were immersed into a virtual nature environment using a virtual reality head-set (Oculus Rift). Before and after exposure, mood (positive and negative emotions) and attentive performance were evaluated. After exposure participants were also asked to report PRP and usability of VR device experienced. Result showed that the PRP predict emotional well-being, and that this relationship is moderated by usability of VR device. Only participants that perceived a high usability report different levels of emotions depending on how much they perceived the environment restorative. Conversely, people how reported difficulties in wearing headset VR or to adapt to the environment (i.e., low level of usability) did not show difference in emotional well-being depending on PRP.

Regional anaesthesia is a gold standard in upper limb orthopaedic surgery. Carried out on an awake patient, it can be a source of anxiety. In recent years, hypnotic techniques have been proposed in the management of perioperative anxiety. Among them, virtual reality is increasingly used as a distraction tool during anxious or painful actions despite the scarcity of proof of its benefit in the literature. Before implementing the systematic use of virtual reality when performing regional anaesthesia in our institution, we designed a study hypothesizing that the use of a virtual reality headset when performing an axillary block would reduce patient's anxiety.The study is an investigator-initiated, prospective monocentric and observational trial comparing anxiety scores of patients who underwent upper limb surgery under an axillary block with or without virtual reality headset. The perioperative anxiety was assessed by a numerical range scale before and after the peripheral nerve block performance.Between June 2021 and June 2022, 99 patients were included: 53 wearing the virtual reality headset and 46 not. The difference in numerical range scale for anxiety before and after the axillary block performance did not differ in the virtual reality group compared to the group without headset (mean = -1.9 ± 2.5 vs -1.5 ± 2.0, (p = 0.2520)). Technical difficulties reported by the operators were similar in both groups.Despite the large number of patients included, the virtual reality headset did not reduce patient's anxiety during a peripheral nerve block. Perioperative anxiety was low in all patients.

_ This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper IPTC 23455, “Metaverse: Accelerates Upstream Growth With the Power of Immersive Collaboration,” by Badr Al-Harbi, SPE, Muhammad Al-Readean, SPE, and Amell Al-Ghamdi, SPE, Saudi Aramco, et al. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2024 International Petroleum Technology Conference. _ The complete paper describes an immersive platform that enhances the ability of multidisciplinary teams and management to make decisions. It connects professionals to demonstrate and share findings and run cross-functional business processes in an intuitive way, capitalizing on artificial intelligence and cognitive capabilities. The unified platform features four pillars: digital assets, real-time collaboration, intelligence, and venues. The platform reduces the need for sequel meetings, supplemental silo efforts, and computational resources. Introduction The platform, called Upstream Metaverse, offers an immersive experience that transcends traditional 2D interfaces, allowing engineers and scientists to collaboratively explore intricate details of Earth structures and simulations in a 3D space. This 3D space is equipped by several human/computer interface tools that span a wide range of input devices such as touch panels, sensor-enabled devices, hand gestures, and more-advanced tools such as voice-enabled commands. As a result, simple hand movement allows the creation of a cross section of well logs for a certain zone or to zoom into a certain formation. In addition, it can be deployed on virtual reality (VR) devices, improving depth perception and, in turn, enhancing comprehension and enabling users to detect patterns, anomalies, or correlations that might be overlooked in conventional displays. Design and Overview The platform was designed to be flexible for constant change, easily extendable to incorporate new features, and open to integration of many data sources and machine-learning (ML) processes. In addition, the plans for the platform included deployment on multiple hardware such as desktops, video walls, and VR headsets. Unity 3D was selected for the development of the platform. Unity 3D is an extensively supported 3D game engine enabling customization and integration with other technologies. It generates applications that can be deployed on many VR headsets and workstations. The platform builds on the concepts of collaboration-center capabilities. This is achieved through providing capabilities to elevate the collaborative experience. First, a data-exploration visualization is developed that combines visualization of data from multiple sources. Access to platform data sets also has been streamlined and integrated with the environment. Data access is coupled with integration of ML. Then, a virtual environment is designed. In addition, collaboration features also have been added that allow participants to interact with the added data and ML processes through controllers and intelligent voice assistance.

Immersing Patients in a Virtual Reality Environment for Brain Mapping During Awake Surgery: Safety Study