Understanding How Virtual Reality Can Support Mindfulness Practice: Mixed Methods Study

Introduction: A previous study conducted in the Gyro-IPT simulator revealed that applied flight scenarios induced minor severity of simulator sickness symptoms in participants. In this study, however, we did not investigate how the severity of symptoms differs between pilots and non-pilots. Therefore, the presented study aimed to examine whether the symptoms of simulator sickness induced in pilots and non-pilots during spatial disorientation (SD) training are significantly different. We were particularly interested in whether the standard flight scenario used in SD training could be a contributing factor in increasing simulator sickness in novice, inexperienced pilots. Method: We used the data from the previous study, where twenty male military pilots (age 31.6 ±8.22) with flight experience (total flight hours 1300 ±1167.4) and 20 non-pilots (age 30.9 ±7.72) were assigned to one of two groups and then exposed to a 1-hour long flight session (12 flight profiles, six involved an SD-conflict) with active control in the Gyro IPT simulator. To measure simulator sickness symptoms, the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was administered pre and post-simulator exposure. In the presented study, the SSQ scores were analyzed independently for the total SSQ and subscores for nausea, oculomotor, and disorientation, and then were compared between groups. Results: The score of the total severity and for each subscale of SSQ symptoms in the non-pilots‘ group were higher than those in the pilots group, however, these differences were not significant. Despite the observed differences, according to the SSQ scoring criteria the simulator sickness symptoms reported by the participants after exposure to the applied flight scenario were negligible. Conclusion: The flight scenarios used in SD training did not generate significantly different symptoms of simulator sickness between non-pilots and pilots. The low level of severity of simulator sickness symptoms in these two study groups may indicate difficulty in predicting simulator sickness based on SSQ only.

Mindfulness practice involves bringing one’s attention to the present moment and noticing events as they unfold with a non-judgmental attitude of acceptance. Although mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress and improve mental health, it can be challenging to learn mindfulness techniques. Recent years have seen an interest in using virtual reality (VR) to help people learn mindfulness by immersing users in virtual settings that support an external focus of attention and reduce everyday environmental distraction. However, the literature currently lacks an understanding of how VR should be designed to support mindfulness. In this paper we describe the iterative design and evaluation of Place, a VR app that supports mindfulness practice by situating the user in a virtual forest environment. We present findings from our design process in which prospective users trialled Place and provided feedback on the design in focus groups. Our findings draw attention to factors that influenced the user experience and acceptance of VR for mindfulness, and we describe how the design was altered to address these factors. We end by discussing key design choices that designers should consider when creating VR for mindfulness. Our contributions include insight into the importance of following an iterative design process when creating a VR mindfulness app, and a framework that can be used to inform the design of future VR apps for mindfulness practice.

Virtual Reality (VR) has the capability of fully immersing users into a wide variety of gaming experiences where the sole focus of the user is on that experience itself. One problem that often occurs when it comes to VR experiences is that of simulation sickness (SS), which is particularly prevalent when the user is forced to play at an abnormal posture due to physical limitations or specific treatment procedures. In this paper we report on a between group study comparing the effect of SS mitigating factors for two postures: seated and lying-down on one’s back (known as the supine pose). A 3D recreation of the popular game Pacman (Namco, 1980) was developed specifically for VR. Each subject participated a total of six sessions of six minutes each taking place over the course of two to three weeks with a two to five day minimum and maximum between each session, respectively. At the start and end of each session participants were asked to fill-in the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), allowing to effectively rate the intensity of SS per session. Results show a lack of significant differences when examining participants as a whole regarding the SS decrease in relation with the field of view (FOV) and the rest frame factors. However, when considering the participant experience in VR, it appears that the lying-down pose does trigger simulation sickness symptoms for more proficient participants whereas they do not report such symptoms for the seated posture.

Aims: Virtual reality (VR) is a new approach that gives users an immersive experience. VR applications frequently experience performance bottlenecks due to the high processing cost of displaying real-time animations multiple times (for both eyes) and the limited resources of wearable devices, performance optimization serves a significant part in VR application development. The goal of this paper is to investigate approaches and techniques available in Unity3D to improve the immersion of VR in virtual reality. This entails studying visuals and performance elements to design more fluid and engaging VR apps.
 Study Design: Quantitative analysis.
 Methodology: Systematic literature reviews, Consensus on the design space for VR-based education would greatly benefit future advances. To do this, we use a systematic mapping technique to the literature, extracting essential data from papers indexed in four academic online databases.
 Results: VR applications include extra aspects like graphics rendering and actual time animation, performance improvements for VR apps might differ significantly from those for standard software. Fully immersive virtual environments vary from standard virtual reality environments in that they can record entire body movements. This skill enables users to engage with other avatars, computer-controlled entities, and artifacts in the virtual world using their complete range of physical activities. VR performance optimization, in essence, relates to the methods, tactics, and procedures used to ensure that VR experiences function as smoothly as feasible.
 Conclusion: This optimization might be performed on different kinds of technology, particularly low-end devices, without sacrificing visual fidelity or immersive experience. VR is well-known for. It is critical to optimize visuals as well as performance in Unity3D VR apps to produce immersive and engaging experiences. Balancing great aesthetics with seamless performance necessitates a thorough grasp of Unity's features as well as a dedication to constant optimization.

Several studies compared the player experience of Virtual Reality (VR) games and non-VR games. However, there is a lack of research on the specific subject of VR and non-VR multiplayer games. Therefore, this work explores how implementing a multiplayer game in VR may influence the player experience compared to the non-VR alternative. We developed a short multiplayer puzzle game that can be played as a VR game or as a non-VR game. The player experience of the different game versions was evaluated by having players answer the Game Experience Questionnaire by IJsselsteijn et al. and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire by Kennedy et al. after playing each version. The results showed that a majority of the aspects of player experience were rated significantly higher for the VR versions compared to the non-VR alternative. However, it was noted that two different VR versions fared differently compared to the non-VR alternative, and they scored vastly different when calculating a total simulator sickness score. We conclude that implementing similar multiplayer games in VR can improve the player experience, but care is required to achieve the best player experience in VR.

The use of virtual reality (VR) for flight simulation, particularly in the earliest stages of pilot training, is gaining attention in both research and industry. The use of the technology for this ab initio training requires suitable consideration of the risks of simulator sickness—risks that are heightened relative to conventional simulators. If simulator sickness results in the development of compensatory skills, or otherwise disrupts the training process, the benefits of the technology may be negated. Enabling the effective integration of VR within flight training requires that, to the extent that simulator sickness is an issue, practical mechanisms are developed to manage the occurrence without disrupting existing training structures. The primary objective of this research is, thus, to evaluate an intervention and a nuisance factor in relation to the reduction of simulator sickness, considering their practicality within existing flight training syllabi. The Total Severity (TS) of the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was evaluated within a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent pre-test–post-test design, incorporating three groups: a prior flight experience nuisance factor group, a prior personal computer aviation training device (PCATD) exposure intervention group, and a control group with neither prior experience nor prior simulator exposure. The results indicated that the TS was significantly reduced for the prior flight experience nuisance factor (rrb = 0.375), but that the PCATD exposure intervention produced no such reduction (rrb = 0.016). The findings suggest that VR flight simulation is likely best used as a supplemental tool, introduced after initial airborne experience. Notwithstanding this finding, the relatively low median TS scores (<20) for all groups suggest that the technology may still be used with caution earlier in the training process. No other published research has examined this important effect in the context of the new VR situation.

Background. Virtual reality (VR) technologies are being applied in various areas of human activity. However, their use is often associated with the onset of simulator sickness. To date, there is no consensus on the mechanisms behind this disorder and the factors influencing its severity. Examining it in the light of the nature of actions performed by the user in a virtual environment is of particular interest. Objective. The goal is to study the impact of the leading level of motor skill development in virtual reality on the severity of simulator sickness. Sample. 40 participants (18 women and 22 men) aged between 19 and 46 years (Mage = 24, SD = 9,197). Participants were informed about the potential short-term negative consequences of participating in the experiment and provided their voluntary consent. Methods. Two groups of participants, after preliminary testing, underwent training over three days to perform certain types of movements in a virtual environment, followed by re-testing. The groups differed in the focus of the training series — one group focused on body rotations (spatial field level, “Group C”), while the other focused on controlling the rotation of elements in the environment (object action level, “Group D”). Both movements were performed using a controller with similar visual stimulation. The severity of simulator sickness was evaluated using psychophysiological (heart rate (HR), tapping test), cognitive (reverse counting with subtraction), and subjective (Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and subjective scaling) measures. Results. It was shown that the manifestations and intensity of simulator sickness (SS) are related to the formation of a specific type of movement skill in the virtual environment. Participants in Group C demonstrated a more pronounced SS at the beginning of the training series than participants in Group D. However, in testing after the training series, the severity of SS for all indicators under the conditions of passive observation of rotating stimulation and solving the spatial field level task in this group was significantly lower than in Group D. Conclusions. The development of movement at the leading level of the spatial field determines the lower expression of SS in virtual reality than the development of skill at the leading level of subject action. Studying simulator sickness from the perspective of the theory of levels of movement construction contributes to a more complete explanation of the formation of this phenomenon.

Tracking motion sickness in dynamic VR environments with EDA signals

Background: Visually-induced motion sickness (VISM) is an emerging problem in the application of virtual reality (VR) technology. Binaural beats are proven to be effective in reducing anxiety levels and enhancing pain management in VR environments. They may have the potential to be a remedy for symptoms of visually-induced motion sickness. Objective: To investigate whether binaural beats can effectively ease the symptoms of VIMS. Methods: Motion sickness susceptible individuals (n=35) were assigned to wear VR headsets and watch a 15-min VR video to evoke VIMS. Whenever motion sickness was self-reported by subjects, they were randomized into three groups receiving three types of intervention methods: Subjects in the experimental group listened to binaural beats; The control group was treated with beats of the same frequency at two soundtracks. And the blank group recovered without any sound played in the earphones. Subjects filled in the Simulator Sickness Questionnaires (SSQ) at three stages—before watching the VR video (baseline), during the watching experience (induction), and after watching (recovery). To increase the credibility, their physiological data were collected by a Biofeedback device during the whole process. Results: Participants’ subjective SSQ scores were analyzed, which did not reveal any significant difference between recovery and induction (p>0.05). The physiological data were following the result obtained from analyzing SSQ scores. Conclusion: The binaural beats did not show a significant effect of alleviating VISM.

Many claims have been made regarding the application of mindfulness meditation to the improvement of critical thinking skills, with some suggesting improved executive function as a mechanism. This study tests theoretical assumptions related to these claims. Sixty-five Irish university students took part in an active-controlled mixed factorial experiment designed to investigate the effects of a guided mindfulness meditation on the primary measures of executive function and critical thinking. The secondary measures assessed key thinking dispositions, including the need for cognition and actively open-minded thinking, state mindfulness and dispositional mindfulness. The 2 × 2 mixed analyses of variance showed no evidence of an effect of the interaction between time (pre vs. post) and group (mindfulness vs. sham meditation) on executive function indices (p < 0.39) or critical thinking performance (p = 0.11). No evidence was found for indirect effects of group allocation on critical thinking through either state mindfulness or executive function. Moderation models demonstrated evidence that the effects of the mindfulness meditation on critical thinking were conditional on need for cognition (b = −0.24 [−0.40, −0.08]) and actively open-minded thinking (b = −0.14 [−0.25, −0.04]) dispositions. In addition, participants who reported low levels of non-reactivity demonstrated decreased critical thinking performance following the mindfulness meditation, which was mediated by slower reaction times on the executive functioning task (b = −53.37 [−92.65, −14.08]). In summary, a brief guided mindfulness meditation appears to facilitate critical thinking for those low in need for cognition and actively open-minded thinking. However, it is unclear whether executive function is a mechanism underlying this relationship.

Low latency is a fundamental requirement for Virtual Reality (VR) systems to reduce the potential risks of cybersickness and to increase effectiveness, efficiency and user experience. In contrast to the effects of uniform latency degradation, the influence of latency jitter on user experience in VR is not well researched, although today's consumer VR systems are vulnerable in this respect. In this work we report on the impact of latency jitter on cybersickness in HMD-based VR environments. Test subjects are given a search task in Virtual Reality, provoking both head rotation and translation. One group experienced artificially added latency jitter in the tracking data of their head-mounted display. The introduced jitter pattern was a replication of a real-world latency behavior extracted and analyzed from an existing example VR-system. The effects of the introduced latency jitter were measured based on self-reports simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ) and by taking physiological measurements. We found a significant increase in self-reported simulator sickness. We therefore argue that measure and control of latency based on average values taken at a few time intervals is not enough to assure a required timeliness behavior but that latency jitter needs to be considered when designing experiences for Virtual Reality.

Recovery time from VR sickness due to susceptibility: Objective and quantitative evaluation using electroencephalography

This study examined the psychometric properties of the State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) in a sample of the Portuguese population. To test the validity and reliability of SMS, a survey was administered to 287 participants (236 women; aged between 18 and 71 years old) with and without previous mindfulness practice. Two weeks after the first assessment, 41 participants were evaluated to test the stability of the SMS. Consistent with contemporary psychological models of mindfulness, the confirmatory factor analyses supported a hierarchical structure entailing one second-order state mindfulness factor and two first-order factors: one related to body sensations and the other reflecting mental events. The two first-order dimensions of state mindfulness correlated positively with the dimensions of observe, nonreactivity, and describe of the dispositional mindfulness scale. The SMS global scores were independent of emotional suppression and cognitive reappraisal, and of social desirability. The SMS showed acceptable internal and test-retest reliability. Overall, the Portuguese version of the scale has acceptable psychometric qualities and can be used to measure mindfulness states, regardless of previous mindfulness practice.

Flight simulators have an essential role in aircrew training. Occasionally, symptoms of motion sickness, defined as simulator sickness, develop during these sessions. Preventive methods for motion sickness have been investigated thoroughly; however, only a few studies have examined preventive treatments for simulator sickness. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of scopolamine (an anticholinergic drug) compared with cinnarizine (an antihistaminic drug) for helicopter simulator sickness prevention. A validated simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ) score was used to determine the severity of simulator sickness symptoms in this study. Preliminary SSQ scores and SSQ scores after each sortie were calculated. Each participant was given scopolamine, cinnarizine, or a placebo in a double-blind randomized manner before the first sortie of each training day. Forty-one helicopter pilots participated in the trial. The average age was 30.5±7.1years. SSQ values significantly improved from an average of 73.30 in the preliminary SSQ questionnaire to an average of 30.92 after 2hours following the administration of cinnarizine (P=.012, 95%CI 8.071-76.703). Scopolamine was found to be less effective than both cinnarizine and the placebo in the alleviation of simulator sickness symptoms. This study is the first to compare scopolamine with cinnarizine for simulator sickness prevention. Based on the results of this study, we recommend the use of cinnarizine over scopolamine for simulator sickness prevention.

Purpose High levels of preoperative anxiety amongst pediatric patients can lead to postoperative complications and increased healthcare costs, necessitating effective non-pharmacological interventions. This study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of “Surgery Prep,” a gamified virtual reality (VR) app that features a perioperative walkthrough designed to help pediatric patients psychologically prepare for surgery. Method The VR application was implemented by a Child Life Specialist (CLS) at a hospital using Meta Quest VR hardware to 15 eligible patients ages 5 to 14 years scheduled for a surgical procedure requiring anesthesia. Pediatric patients and their parents were surveyed to assess the application’s feasibility and acceptability and effectiveness into psychologically preparation and reducing pre-operative anxiety in pediatric patients before surgery. Result The results of this study demonstrated the feasibility of a VR perioperative walkthrough by the CLS team who recruited 15 pediatric patients with 3 refusals to participate. All patients completed the study. Acceptability was highlighted by patients and parents reporting the VR experience to be fun, interactive, engaging, and a tool for distraction and psychological surgery preparation. This matched a reasonably high average System Usability score of 72.2 (95% CI = 64.0 to 80.3). The most common complaint from parents and patients was that the headset was heavy. Conclusion This study found that a VR app designed to reduce preoperative anxiety was feasible for deployment by CLS in a hospital and acceptable by pediatric patients and their parents. The VR experience introduced a means to psychologically prepare patients for surgery and distract them while they await surgery in a hospital.