Immersion in Virtual Reality Can Increase Exercise Motivation and Physical Performance

This study proposes gaze-based hand interaction, which is helpful for improving the user’s immersion in the production process of virtual reality content for the mobile platform, and analyzes efficiency through an experiment using a questionnaire. First, three-dimensional interactive content is produced for use in the proposed interaction experiment while presenting an experiential environment that gives users a high sense of immersion in the mobile virtual reality environment. This is designed to induce the tension and concentration of users in line with the immersive virtual reality environment. Additionally, a hand interaction method based on gaze—which is mainly used for the entry of mobile virtual reality content—is proposed as a design method for immersive mobile virtual reality environment. The user satisfaction level of the immersive environment provided by the proposed gaze-based hand interaction is analyzed through experiments in comparison with the general method that uses gaze only. Furthermore, detailed analysis is conducted by dividing the effects of the proposed interaction method on user’s psychology into positive factors such as immersion and interest and negative factors such as virtual reality (VR) sickness and dizziness. In this process, a new direction is proposed for improving the immersion of users in the production of mobile platform virtual reality content.

User capabilities in eyes-free spatial target acquisition in immersive virtual reality environments

The traditional rubber hand illusion is a psychological experiment where participants are under the illusion that a rubber hand is part of their own body. This paper examines the use of real, virtual and augmented reality environments for identifying the elements that influence body ownership in healthy participants. Compared to the classical experiment where a plastic rubber hand was used, a realistic 3D representation was chosen to create the same illusion this time in both immersive virtual reality and augmented reality. Experiments were performed on 30 volunteers undergoing testing session composed of three stages. Participants were asked to complete two different questionnaires, one measuring their cognitive workload and another one regarding their experience with the rubber hand illusion. In addition, EEG signals of the individuals were recorded, resulting in 90 electroencephalogram datasets. Results indicate correlations between ownership statements with beta and gamma electroencephalogram bands in premotor cortex activity. Link between higher gamma production in ventral premotor area during the illusion was established in previous studies.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how the use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) impacts on the surprise aspects of designing.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical case is a new hospital in the UK wherein a CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) type of an IVR environment was used performing six design review sessions during the bid preparation stage. Drawing from a former video-based study, the authors conducted follow-up discussions with the participants to access their perspectives on design surprises emerging from their engagement with the IVR. The study developed a reflective methodology, interviewing participants about their experiences of doing design in the immersive environment. Retrospective discussions were conducted in a data review format, through playing back video clips of the IVR design sessions and asking the participants to reflect on their IVR design experience and on design surprises emerging from their engagement with the IVR.FindingsThe findings indicate that IVRs, such as the CAVE, are not only enhancing existing understandings of design but also challenging the participants' understanding of the design as they experience the immersive version of it, provoking ruptures in current procedures and driving unanticipated changes to the design.Originality/valueThis qualitative study of surprise in design work using IVRs (for a real-life design project) brings new insights into emerging practices of designing using immersive technology, such as the CAVE.

Purpose Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) systems allow for highly repetitive tasks to be performed within a virtual environment that increases practice in home environments. VR can increase access to rehabilitation by reducing access barriers. However, rehabilitation outcomes between immersive VR systems and conventional physical rehabilitation are not well understood. The purpose of this case study was to assess the use of a custom clinically based VR simulation for testing gross hand dexterity with an individual with chronic stroke. Materials and methods The participant performed the box and blocks test (BBT) in an immersive VR environment and a physical environment. Three trials of the BBT were performed with their less-affected and affected hands each in both environments while measuring cortical activity using fNIRS. Rests were given between trials and environment conditions. Results Our results show that there was no statistical difference in the number of blocks moved between the physical and VR BBT for both the affected and less-affected hands. Furthermore, our results also indicate no statistically significant difference between the physical BBT and VR BBT conditions on contralateral motor cortex activation, suggesting that cortical involvement is comparable between physical and VR conditions. Conclusions These results suggest that an immersive VR system may be able to elicit functional and motor cortex activations that are comparable to the conventional physical BBT. Importantly, these findings highlights the potential benefits of VR therapy as a remote therapy intervention and/or to increase the effectiveness and practicality of current in-person rehabilitation programs. Implications for rehabilitation These findings highlight the potential benefits of immersive virtual reality as a remote therapy intervention. Immersive virtual reality use has potential benefits to increase the effectiveness and practicality of current in-person rehabilitation programs.

Biophilic design aims to connect people to nature by incorporating natural elements such as plants in built environments. In immersive virtual reality (VR) environments, experiments have shown that, for instance, the presence of virtual plants in VR leads to higher cognitive performance and psychological well-being. However, it has not been investigated so far whether such effects extend to the performance of spatial interaction tasks such as path steering. In this paper, we explore the effects of the presence of virtual plants in an immersive virtual office environment on path steering performance in VR. For this purpose, we combined and replicated two previous studies in this field. The results of our study did not find an effect of the presence of virtual plants on steering time, as our participants performed all steering tasks in a similar amount of time in both biophilic and non-biophilic environments. We could, however, replicate one of the original studies on path steering in VR by Liu et al. and show that the steering time in our study also follows the extension of the steering law proposed in their work. Accordingly, we found not only a significant effect of the length (p<.001, effect size: partial eta squared =.93) and width (p<.001, effect size =.96) of the steering path, but also a significant effect of the path curvature (p=.003, effect size =.64) on the time needed for steering through the path. We also found significant effects of path latitude (p<.001, effect size =.57) and longitude (p=.01, effect size =.18) on steering time. Our findings challenge the previous research, which demonstrated the positive effects of biophilic design in VR on cognitive processes, and therefore, pave the path for future work to better understand the effects of biophilic design on users’ performance in VR.

Purpose The paper aims to provide an integrated system for collaborative maintenance training of complex equipment based on virtual maintenance and immersive virtual reality environment. Design/methodology/approach An integrated platform for collaborative virtual maintenance operation and training of complex equipment is developed. The simulation supporting platform for collaborative virtual maintenance is designed with the combined hierarchical structure and modularized members to support the interactive communication of heterogeneous data and information. By analyzing the collaboration mode of multi operators, the maintenance task allocation model, maintenance operation model and Extensible Markup Language-based object information template are presented. Findings The research finds that the proposed system is an efficient platform for collaborative maintenance training of complex equipment. Practical implications Appropriate and efficient maintenance task allocation and collaborative maintenance operation of multi operators can significantly improve the maintenance efficiency of complex equipment. Originality/value A collaborative virtual maintenance training system of complex equipment based on immersive virtual reality environment is presented.

Finding enjoyable and effective long-term approaches to rehabilitation for improving the upper limb (UL) function of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is challenging. Virtual reality (VR) with its engagement, interaction, and real time feedback could be a solution, with immersive VR systems having preliminary evidence in stroke to be more effective in improving UL outcomes in comparison to non-immersive VR. However, immersive VR research is limited within the realm of MS rehabilitation. Therefore, the main aim of the PhD was to explore immersive VR as an approach for UL rehabilitation for people with MS (pwMS). This was achieved in four stages: 1) a systematic review of the current evidence for VR in UL rehabilitation in MS; 2) predevelopment focus groups to determine requirements for the development of bespoke immersive VR games; 3) software development of bespoke VR games to potentially improve UL function for pwMS; and 4) a feasibility study of the games and immersive VR for pwMS’ UL rehabilitation. The systematic review initially yielded ten articles with varying study design, VR intervention and UL outcome measures used. There were some statistically significant improvements after VR interventions in outcomes such as in nine-hole peg test (NHPT), hand grip strength and active range of motion. There were however conflicting results regarding if VR was more effective than conventional approaches. Whilst the review demonstrated there were positive results for VR improving UL function, most of the studies had small sample sizes and were inadequately powered, and the level of immersion on effectiveness in MS remains unknown. The predevelopment focus groups recruited ten pwMS and eight specialist clinicians to explore their views on immersive VR as an approach to UL rehabilitation and determine requirements to develop VR games for this purpose. PwMS commonly reported that their UL problems interfered with activities of daily living and resulted in the loss of meaningful hobbies such as writing. Many pwMS neglected UL exercise and found strategies for adapting to their UL impairments. Similarly, clinicians stated UL rehabilitation was neglected within their service and that it was challenging to find interesting treatment strategies. VR was suggested by both participant groups as a potential solution, as it was convenient for pwMS to access and could provide a more engaging and disguised approach to exercise. Although, there were shared concerns about cybersickness and disengagement while using VR approaches. Finally, both groups agreed games should be meaningful and adaptable for users but suggested different VR activities, with clinicians suggesting games directly reflecting activities of daily living and pwMS suggesting more abstract activities. Recommendations were made for the development of VR rehabilitation games which could be personalised and customisable for the varying abilities of pwMS. Using theme-based content analysis and requirement analysis, requirements for the software development of immersive VR games were created and developed using Unity game engine. Three games, “Piano”; “Catch-a-falling-star” and “VR Whack-a-mole” which targeted dexterity and strength for pwMS were developed, with different difficulty levels implemented to adapt to varying ability of pwMS. The final stage of this PhD was a randomised, controlled feasibility study to investigate an intervention of immersive VR involving the three co-produced games for pwMS’ UL rehabilitation. Participants were randomised to either an intervention group consisting of 30 minutes of VR co-produced games, twice/week, for eight weeks, or to a control group of usual care. Participants were recruited from the NHS and third sector organisations. Nineteen pwMS were recruited (intervention n=11, control n=8), with a recruitment rate of 3.2 participants/month. Only minor adverse events were reported (n=9), such as fatigue and UL pain. Adherence was good with 87% (±12%) session completed, and two dropouts were reported in the control group. There were positive trends for improving NHPT and hand grip strength, but there was an observed ceiling effect in the Action Research Arm Test. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction and good usability of the co-produced VR games, as measured by the USE questionnaire. Thematic analysis revealed participants enjoyed the distraction and atmospheres that immersive VR provided, and believed the games were fit for purpose with the majority of participants reporting improvements in their UL function. Participants suggested more variety and progression of exercises for future development. Overall, these studies show that immersive VR has the potential to be beneficial for UL rehabilitation and is feasible and safe for pwMS. Therefore, future work should refine VR games for long-term application and explore the clinical and cost effectiveness of this approach.

The goals of the study were (a) to compare the instructional effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) versus a desktop slideshow as media for teaching scientific knowledge, and (b) to examine the efficacy of adding a generative learning strategy to a VR lesson. In Experiment 1, college students viewed a biology lesson about how the human body works either in immersive VR or via a self-directed PowerPoint slideshow on a desktop computer. Based on interest theory, it was predicted that students who learned in immersive VR would report more positive ratings of interest and motivation and would score higher on a posttest covering material in the lesson. In contrast, based on the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, it was predicted that students who learned with a well-designed slideshow would score higher on a posttest, although they might not report higher levels of interest and motivation. The results showed that students who viewed the slideshow performed significantly better on the posttest than the VR group, but reported lower motivation, interest, and engagement ratings. In Experiment 2, students either viewed a segmented VR lesson and produced a written summary after each segment or viewed the original, continuous VR lesson as in Experiment 1. Students who summarized the lesson after each segment performed significantly better on the posttest and the groups did not differ on reported interest, engagement, and motivation. These results support the cognitive theory of multimedia learning and demonstrate the value of generative learning strategies in immersive VR environments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)

This paper presents a framework and detailed vision for using immersive virtual reality (VR) environments to improve the design, verification, validation, and manufacture of medical devices. Major advances in medical device design and manufacture currently require extensive and expensive product cycles that include animal and clinical trials. The current design process limits opportunities to thoroughly understand and refine current designs and to explore new high-risk, high-payoff designs. For the past 4 years, our interdisciplinary research group has been working toward developing strategies to dramatically increase the role of simulation in medical device engineering, including linking simulations with visualization and interactive design. Although this vision aligns nicely with the stated goals of the FDA and the increasingly important role that simulation plays in engineering, manufacturing, and science today, the interdisciplinary expertise needed to realize a simulation-based visual design environment for real-world medical device design problems makes implementing (and even generating a system-level design for) such a system extremely challenging. In this paper, we present our vision for a new process of simulation-based medical device engineering and the impact it can have within the field. We also present our experiences developing the initial components of a framework to realize this vision and applying them to improve the design of replacement mechanical heart valves. Relative to commercial software packages and other systems used in engineering research, the vision and framework described are unique in the combined emphasis on 3D user interfaces, ensemble visualization, and incorporating state-of-the-art custom computational fluid dynamics codes. We believe that this holistic conception of simulation-based engineering, including abilities to not just simulate with unprecedented accuracy but also to visualize and interact with simulation results, is critical to making simulation-based engineering practical as a tool for major innovation in medical devices. Beyond the medical device arena, the framework and strategies described may well generalize to simulation-based engineering processes in other domains that also involve simulating, visualizing, and interacting with data that describe spatially complex time-varying phenomena.

Virtual reality (VR) is gaining popularity these days for a variety of reasons, the most prominent of which is the Covid-19 scenario. This article outlines a strategy for restoring people's lives and allowing them to work from home, as well as bringing people together on a common platform to cheer them up. At Chulalongkorn University, the work technique was used to create a virtual three-dimensional (3D) chemistry lab. Many tactics were adopted and carried out step by step to provide a genuine experience of the lab when creating a virtual lab. Using Unity, a cross-platform game engine, the 3D model was then used to create an immersive and interactive VR experience. The final output is an immersive and interactive virtual reality environment with information constructed using Unity.

Presenting a pictorial representation followed by a textual representation supports learners to build a coherent mental model. Providing an elaboration prompt stimulates learners to process the learning content semantically. Hence, combining both approaches might result in synergetic effects as both foster mental model development, which could be particularly challenging in immersive virtual environments. In our 2 × 2 between‐subject design study, we investigated the beneficial effects of adequate sequencing of text and picture and prompting, as well as their potential synergic effect in an immersive virtual reality (VR) learning environment with N = 81 learners. We presented the learning content in form of one pictorial and one textual representation and varied their presentation sequence: pictorial followed by textual representation or textual followed by pictorial representation. As the pictorial representation, we used a VR animation displaying a service robot. As the textual representation, we chose an auditory text about robotics. Additionally, we varied whether or not learners received an elaboration prompt before the learning unit started. We measured learning outcome differentiated for knowledge, comprehension, and application levels. We found beneficial effects for VR animation followed by auditory text on the knowledge level, only. Prompting led to a beneficial effect only on the application level. We found no synergic effect of adequate sequencing and prompting on learning outcome. Hence, depending on the level of learning outcome targeted, different support approaches are advisable. Future research might consider the long‐term effects of adequate sequencing and prompting or different approaches to measuring mental models. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic? Learning in Virtual Reality (VR) is a promising approach to present the learning material but does not per se guarantee deep learning and the development of a correct mental model. Prior findings imply that presenting pictorial representations first fosters mental model development. Beneficial effects of stimulating learners by an elaboration prompt before learning in virtual reality have been reported. Previous studies imply that instructional design and activation of learners might have synergetic, beneficial effects on learning outcome. What this paper adds We investigated the effects of sequencing order (VR animation or auditory text first) and prompting (with or without) on different levels of learning outcome. We found beneficial effects on the knowledge level when VR animation was presented first, while prompting fostered the application level. No synergetic effects of VR animation first and prompting were found as both support approaches seem to impact different levels of learning outcome. Implications for practice and/or policy Depending on the level of learning outcome that should be fostered while learning in VR, different support approaches are advisable. Presenting a VR animation first fosters learning of basic concepts and definitions at the knowledge level. Using an elaboration prompt before learning in VR enables the learners to process the content deeply. Presenting VR animations first can serve as a brief scaffold for the mental models and additional details can be added in the further learning process.

This study explores the intersection of personality, attention and task performance in traditional 2D and immersive virtual reality (VR) environments. A visual search task was developed that required participants to find anomalous images embedded in normal background images in 3D space. Experiments were conducted with 30 subjects who performed the task in 2D and VR environments while their eye movements were tracked. Following an exploratory correlation analysis, we applied machine learning techniques to investigate the predictive power of gaze features on human data derived from different data collection methods. Our proposed methodology consists of a pipeline of steps for extracting fixation and saccade features from raw gaze data and training machine learning models to classify the Big Five personality traits and attention-related processing speed/accuracy levels computed from the Group Bourdon test. The models achieved above-chance predictive performance in both 2D and VR settings despite visually complex 3D stimuli. We also explored further relationships between task performance, personality traits and attention characteristics.

The current virtual reality (VR) techniques develop immersive environments via inducing illusions to our sense. Nowadays, most of VR focuses on inducing visual illusion. Hence, visual is the most important input channel for experiencing and exploring the VR environments. Recently, extensive research efforts have been put on eye-tracking studies. However, the development and growing trends of the VR-based eye-tracking studies are unrevealed due to the lack of a systematic literature review on it. In this study, we reviewed related literature from 2000 to 2019 and summarized them into two main categories, including eye tracking methods and eye-tracking-enabled applications, such as tracking gaze points to manipulate the VR environment, measuring user states, and evaluating the usability of VR based on eye-tracking data. Based on the literature review, we can find that eye-tracking can assist in developing adaptive VR systems and enhance users experience. While comparing with 2D environments, immersive VR environment still requires more deep studies in eye-tracking.

Tracking motion sickness in dynamic VR environments with EDA signals