Use Of Virtual Reality Headset Research Articles

Virtual reality in the outpatient: reducing anxiety and fear in venous puncture

To analyze whether the use of virtual reality (VR) headsets during venipuncture can modify the perception of pain, anxiety, and fear in pediatrics. Open label, randomized clinical trial. The presence of intellectual, visual, or hearing impairment were considered exclusion criteria. Two anxiety and fear scales were administered before and after the procedure, and the Wong-Baker face pain scale at the end. The following were recorded: number of venipuncture attempts, duration of the procedure, and side effects. 78 patients were included, 38 males and a mean age of 9.63 years. In the intervention group, the mean pain value was 2.87, with a mean difference (MD) of -0.85 compared with the control one (95% confidence interval (CI) -2.02 to 0.33). There was a significant reduction in the level of anxiety and fear, with MDs of -2.59 (95%CI: -3.92 to -1.26) and -0.85 points (95%CI: -1.45 to -0.24), respectively. the use of VR headsets in venipuncture in hospital daytime care decreases the level of anxiety and fear in children and seems to reduce pain, without adverse effects. The venipuncture procedure has the same success rate and does not increase its duration.

P068 The Use of Virtual Reality Headsets instead of Entonox for Paediatric Patients undergoing Steroid Joint Injections or Venepuncture / Cannulation

Abstract Background/Aims Entonox has traditionally been used for patients with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) who require intra-articular joint injections (IAIs). However, Entonox is now the third most misused drug especially in school age children and young people (CYP). Entonox also has an environmental impact. In addition, Entonox has side-effects including euphoria, disorientation, nausea and vomiting. Recently there has been increased awareness of the risks of Vitamin B deficiency associated with prolonged Entonox use which can lead to neurological toxicity. These factors have led us to consider virtual reality (VR) devices as an alternative for patients requiring IAIs. The VR headset we used is a class one medical device that can provide both reduction in anxiety levels and pain relief in patients needing anxiety-provoking or painful procedures such as IAIs. Aims: To trial the use of VR devices in a Paediatric Rheumatology Service and to assess effectiveness in reducing anxiety and pain when used during IAIs and cannulation / venepuncture. Methods A pragmatic pilot study of VR headset use was carried out from November 2022 until September 2023. All CYP undergoing IAIs without GA were offered either Entonox sedation or VR headset distraction. Each CYP using the VR headset was asked to score anxiety and pain levels before and after the procedure using a Likert scale. Patient demographics were also collected (age and gender). Results A total of 42 patients attended for IAI’s during the study window between the ages of 7 and 16. Thirty-three opted to use the VR headset. Nine opted for Entonox. An additional 22 patients opted to use the VR headset for venepuncture / cannulation. The 64 users of the VR headset reported an average 47.8% reduction in anxiety and a 0.8% reduction in pain. Conclusion The study demonstrated that the use of a VR headset reduces anxiety in CYP having painful procedures. A minimal reduction in pain however was reported. This may be due to some patients having low pre procedural pain scores. The terms of the headset loan limited the questions that could be set for data collection. It has therefore not been possible to separate results from children who underwent IAIs or venepuncture / cannulation. We also did not collect comparative scores from the Children and young people who chose to use Entonox. Funding has now been secured for the VR headset and we are carrying out a prospective evaluation, including feedback from patients and staff, into the role of VR devices in managing situations involving procedural anxiety. Disclosure H.C. Lee: None. S. Leach: None. D. Hawley: None. N. Barker: None.

(262) Virtual Reality for Improved Vasectomy Experience: Insights from a Single-Center Clinical Trial

Abstract Introduction Vasectomy is a widely performed procedure for male sterilization, with an estimated 33 million procedures conducted annually worldwide. Although vasectomy is generally safe and associated with minimal complications, concerns over procedural pain and anxiety can deter patients from pursuing the procedure. To address these concerns, innovations such as no-needle and no-scalpel techniques have been adopted to minimize pain during vasectomy. However, anticipated pain and anxiety remain significant barriers for patients. Therefore, optimizing patient comfort during procedures performed under local anesthesia is crucial for improving outcomes and satisfaction. Virtual reality (VR) devices have emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for pain modulation in various medical fields. VR technology has demonstrated pain reduction and anxiety alleviation in pediatric burn therapy, physical therapy, dental procedures, and more. The adult urologic community has also embraced VR, with positive results observed in surveillance cystoscopy and office-based prostate biopsy procedures. However, limited research exists on the use of VR headsets during vasectomy, with only one previous non-randomized trial reporting high patient satisfaction but no improvement in pain or anxiety. In this ongoing single-center, randomized, open-label clinical trial, we present interim data evaluating the effectiveness of the SmileyScope VR device in reducing anxiety and pain during in-office vasectomy performed with local anesthesia. Objective The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) devices in alleviating peri-procedure anxiety and pain during in-office vasectomy performed with local anesthesia. The secondary goal of this study is to compare the effectiveness of interactive VR, enabling patient control of the experience, with static VR, which does not provide patient control. Methods The study enrolled patients who were scheduled for in-office vasectomy with a single urologist. The patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: the control group receiving standard in-office vasectomy without a VR headset, the static VR intervention group, or the interactive VR intervention group. The primary outcome measures included patient-reported pain and anxiety levels before and after the procedure, along with heart rate measurements recorded using a wearable device. Results Interim analysis of this ongoing study includes data from a total of 58 men. 20 men were in the control group, 19 in the static VR arm, and 19 in the interactive VR arm. There was no observed difference in subjective pain scores or heart rate variability during the procedure. However, patients who wore a VR headset reported a significantly lower level of pre-procedure anxiety (P = 0.0700). Conclusions Anticipation of periprocedural pain and anxiety are barriers to vasectomy utilization. Initial results from our ongoing randomized clinical trial indicate that the utilization of virtual reality is feasible, safe, and effective in reducing pre-procedure anxiety in patients undergoing vasectomy. Disclosure No.

Analysis of Readiness to Use the Metaverse Platform in Learning Activities

Metaverse technology is one of the many technological breakthroughs in education, notably in the teaching and learning process in the classroom, especially since the COVID-19 epidemic. This study aims to investigate, model, and assess the potential adoption of metaverse technology from the viewpoint of BINUS University students. The study methodology that is employed is quantitative descriptive analysis. This research used Mozilla Hub's SPOKE to create the classroom simulation. Students are asked to use a laptop web browser and a Virtual Reality (VR) headset to replicate two scenarios from the metaverse realm. The variables used are comfort, convenience, compatibility, interest, and efficacy. The findings of this research indicate that a more significant number of participants, as much as 80% than fewer respondents (20%) were interested in employing VR (the Metaverse) for online teaching and learning using headsets. The novelty in this research is that academics can find out student behavior that they prefer to study using a VR headset compared to a regular laptop by opening a web browser. This can be a special note that the use of VR headsets in learning can increase interest in learning so that it is more effective in providing teaching material. Future work for this study is the application of this metaverse technology, which still requires work and development, as it still necessitates careful planning and consideration of a few factors, including security, infrastructure availability, and user comfort. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-06-016 Full Text: PDF

A portable augmented/virtual reality auralisation tool for consumer-grade devices with companion desktop application

Auralisation is the technique of presenting realistic acoustic scenarios to interested parties, through simulation using appropriately processed audio signals, without the need for the scenario to be physically constructed. Current state-of-the-art auralisations typically require a dedicated listening room with very low reverberance, very low background noise, and a multi-channel loudspeaker setup. More recently, auralisations have been coupled with virtual reality (VR) visualisations to enhance the user experience, through use of VR head-sets. Recent computational power increases in portable consumer-grade devices, such as smart phones and tablets, have meant that rendering a 3D augmented reality (AR) or VR simulation is now a possibility on such devices. The AR/VR auralisation application, AiHear, has been developed which utilizes the portable device platform in conjunction with an off-the-shelf (calibrated) headphone setup to play back accurate auralisation audio. An Ai-Hear companion desktop application enables rapid creation and modification of auralisation scenarios, and allows the audio and visuals to be previewed before they are imported onto the portable device. This paper looks at some of the technical aspects of successfully implementing an AR/VR auralisation application for use on a low-cost consumer-grade platform.

Facing Up to Virtual Reality: A Case Report

Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated three-dimensional simulation, often used with a wireless headset and controllers. It provides the user with visual, auditory and tactile stimuli for an immersive experience. Popularity of VR devices has snowballed, with use in domestic, education, healthcare and business sectors. We present a patient who jumped off a plank into water in a virtual reality world, while in reality, the patient had jumped into their TV unit, striking their chin. This resulted in a displaced and mobile fracture of the mandibular parasymphysis that required reduction and fixation under a general anaesthetic. This novel technology is altering our world's interface in multiple fields, but there are potential risks associated with fully immersing ourselves in another world. CPD/Clinical Relevance: It is important to be aware of trauma that can result from injuries during virtual reality headset use.

EPS9.09 Pilot study to evaluate the use of dry chlorine dioxide gas for sterilisation of virtual reality headsets

Objectives: Virtual Reality Headsets (VRH) are a developing part of patient care and virtual medicine, providing physical and psychological benefit to number of patients including pwCF. VRH are complex electronic devices incorporating different materials and there is a lack of robust and standardised decontamination protocols. VRH may be a potential source of infection transmission between patients which is particularly important in pwCF. One option is to restrict the use of VRH to single-patient use; however this limits their utility and increases cost. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of dry chlorine dioxide (dClO2) gas with parametric validation as a standardized decontamination method for VRH.

B-45 | The Use of Virtual Reality to Optimize Patient Comfort During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The use of sedating anxiolytic and pain medications is ubiquitous in the United States in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). We hypothesize the use of a virtual reality headset (VRH) can lower patient perception of anxiety and pain and improve overall patient experience whilst limiting the use of sedating medications. A feasibility study was performed among patients undergoing TAVR. Use of sedating medications was managed by an anesthesiologist. Patients underwent pre and post procedure surveys with State-Trait Anxiety Inventory 6 Score to assess anxiety and the Wong-Baker FACES Score to assess pain. During the procedure, patients had the option to choose their preferred environment from immersive beach, space, underwater, or nature experiences. In total, 14 patients were enrolled in our study with 4 opting to discontinue the VRH for various reasons including claustrophobia and weight of the headset. For the 10 patients who completed the study, 7 had improvement in their anxiety scores post TAVR (Figure 1, Panel C). The average overall patient experience was excellent at 8.45/10. Post procedural pain scores for the majority of patients was 0 and the most severe pain score 4/10. All 10 patients stated they would use the technology again in future procedures. Use of a VR headset by patients undergoing TAVR appears feasible and does not interfere with care provided by the medical team. Future study will focus on comparisons of anesthetic use and patient satisfaction with vs without use of VRH.

Virtual Reality-Assisted Awake Craniotomy: A Retrospective Study.

Awake craniotomy (AC) with brain mapping for language and motor functions is often performed for tumors within or adjacent to eloquent brain regions. However, other important functions, such as vision and visuospatial and social cognition, are less frequently mapped, at least partly due to the difficulty of defining tasks suitable for the constrained AC environment. The aim of this retrospective study was to demonstrate, through illustrative cases, how a virtual reality headset (VRH) equipped with eye tracking can open up new possibilities for the mapping of language, the visual field and complex cognitive functions in the operating room. Virtual reality (VR) tasks performed during 69 ACs were evaluated retrospectively. Three types of VR tasks were used: VR-DO80 for language evaluation, VR-Esterman for visual field assessment and VR-TANGO for the evaluation of visuospatial and social functions. Surgery was performed on the right hemisphere for 29 of the 69 ACs performed (42.0%). One AC (1.5%) was performed with all three VR tasks, 14 ACs (20.3%) were performed with two VR tasks and 54 ACs (78.3%) were performed with one VR task. The median duration of VRH use per patient was 15.5 min. None of the patients had "VR sickness". Only transitory focal seizures of no consequence and unrelated to VRH use were observed during AC. Patients were able to perform all VR tasks. Eye tracking was functional, enabling the medical team to analyze the patients' attention and exploration of the visual field of the VRH directly. This preliminary experiment shows that VR approaches can provide neurosurgeons with a way of investigating various functions, including social cognition during AC. Given the rapid advances in VR technology and the unbelievable sense of immersion provided by the most recent devices, there is a need for ongoing reflection and discussions of the ethical and methodological considerations associated with the use of these advanced technologies in AC and brain mapping procedures.

Understanding how virtual reality forest experience promote physiological and psychological health for patients undergoing hemodialysis.

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.

Feasibility of AR-VR use in autonomous cars for user engagements and its effects on posture and vigilance during transit

Autonomous driving system (ADS) is anticipated to revolutionize travel by reclaiming lost time and improve safety on the roads. With automation, user-engagements that enhances road monitoring should be considered to maintain vigilance and safety. From the literature, virtual reality (VR) usage in cars offer productivity and increased privacy. This paper explores the efficacy of passenger use of VR headsets to enhance user-engagement during transit. User-engagement was quantified using physiological measures (pupillary response and electrodermal activity) during an in-car VR game/activity experiment. Further, the impacts of engaging with secondary tasks was evaluated using reaction time of pop-up objects. We designed a driving simulation with inbuilt entertaining activities, no-task, game-task, video-task, and mixed-task, played in a real car with a FOVE VR headset on the perimeter track of the Gifu University campus with 15 subjects (average 25.6 years, SD = 6.4). From reaction time, significant difference between tasks was found using one-way ANOVA (F(3,231) = 2.75, p = .0437). A post-hoc test revealed that game and mixed task reaction times were significantly different (p = .0126 and p = .016, respectively) suggesting that task design should consider hazard recognition in a real car. From physiological measures, an increased/sustained effect of user engagement was noted compared with baseline (no-task) suggesting effectiveness in maintaining vigilance. The results also reported a 10-fold improvement in sitting posture compared to baseline. The methodology employed is applicable as an indirect measure of engagement that would find use in productivity and vigilance study in an ADS.

Effects of virtual reality erotica on ejaculate quality of sperm donors: a balanced and randomized controlled cross-over within-subjects trial

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that the type and duration of erotic material that men have access to during masturbation can influence semen parameters. To our knowledge, the use of virtual reality (VR) headsets to present erotica has not previously been studied. We reasoned that, because VR can provide a more immersive experience to the user, semen parameters of masturbatory ejaculates may be altered.MethodsThis study had a balanced and randomized controlled cross-over within-subjects design. 504 ejaculates were collected from 63 sperm donors at 4 locations in Denmark. During masturbation each donor was instructed to observe erotic material either on a touch screen monitor or using a VR headset. The order of each pair of within-subject treatments was randomized by the throw of a dice. Anonymized data were analysed with linear mixed and piecewise structural equation models.ResultsBoth abstinence period and VR-use influenced the total number of motile spermatozoa ejaculated. For short abstinence periods, VR-use increased the number of motile sperm in the ejaculate. However, the difference between VR and non-VR ejaculates decreased as abstinence period increased such that there was no difference at the mean abstinence period of 58 h. For longer abstinence periods, total motile sperm counts were lower, on average, when men used VR compared to those that did not.ConclusionThe use of VR headsets to view erotica had a strong positive effect on the number of motile sperm in an ejaculate when the donor’s abstinence time was short (< 24 h). VR-use could improve the ejaculate quality of men who are asked to provide samples after a short period of abstinence, such as men in infertile partnerships producing samples for ART or cancer patients depositing sperm before treatment.Trial registrationTrial retrospectively registered on 13 July 2022 at ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT05457764.

ENGAGING VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY TO DETERMINE PRO-ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOUR: THE INDIAN CONTEXT

The main purpose of this study is to capture key pro-environmental behaviours that are triggered when individuals are subjected to a virtual environment simulation of a pristine tourism destination. The study made use of virtual reality headsets to gauge potential predictors of pro-environmental behaviour. Pre and post intervention response differentials were recorded through a structured questionnaire on 100 individuals. The study was divided into two stages. The first stage comprised of the PLS-SEM algorithm which empirically tested postulations anchored on the Pro-Environmental Behaviour framework. The second phase of the study deployed the PLS-MGA algorithm to observe changes in propensities. Findings reveal that, virtual reality interventions partially effect how individuals perceive pro-environmental behaviour. The study advices policy makers and practitioners to cultivate industry 4.0 technologies like virtual reality to raise awareness about climate action among tourists. For academicians, the study expands the utility sprectrum of the Pro-Environmental Behaviour (PEB) framework and it is suggested that future studies inculcate virtual/augmented/extended reality competencies in experiment based investigations. The study maybe repeated in the context of other developing economies where sustainable tourism development remain a challenge.

254 Simulation Matrix: Using Virtual Reality to Help Medical Students Transition into Clinical Practice During COVID-19

Abstract Aim The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted on undergraduate surgical education, as traditional teaching methods have been compromised leading to hesitancy and anxiety amongst medical students. This project provided an alternative teaching method using virtual reality (VR) headsets reducing the impact of the restrictions caused by COVID-19. Method 23 medical students were enrolled. Clinical scenarios were randomly allocated. Each student completed pre- and post-session questionnaires. Student anxiety and mental preparedness were assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Paired t-tests were used to analyse impact, and one-sample t-tests were used to assess student perceptions of VR. Results are presented as mean and 95% confidence intervals. Results VR simulations were found to have significantly increased clinical confidence in managing acutely unwell patients (0.91±0.39 points; p&amp;lt;0.0001) and improved mental preparedness to work in clinical setting (0.52±0.48 points; p=0.036). Our study also showed that VR simulation reduced students’ anxiety in managing acutely unwell patients (0.78±0.43 points; p=0.0011). 95.7% students strongly agreed that VR provides a psychologically safe training environment, and overall agreement was highly significant (mean score: 4.96±0.09, p&amp;lt;0.0001). 91.3% strongly agreed that VR training is a useful tool to help mental preparation for transition into clinical practice, and overall agreement was highly significant (mean score: 4.87±0.19, p&amp;lt;0.0001). Conclusions VR simulation can significantly improve student experience of, and mental preparedness, for transitioning into clinical practice. We would advocate regular use of VR headsets within the rapidly evolving world of surgical education.

VR Users Are More Relaxed and Optimistic during COVID Lockdown than Others

Numerous studies have shown how the confinement period linked to the health situation of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2) has been psychologically destructive for many people. These psychological disorders are generally linked to confinement and isolation. At the same time, virtual reality tools are becoming more popular, the level of immersion in cheap HMD (Head Mounted Display) helmets today allows access to a satisfactory level of presence. Our theory, widely supported by substantial literature, is that the regular use of immersive Virtual Reality during periods of confinement could allow users to better endure the psychological constraints. We observed the correlation between the weekly use of HMD Virtual Reality headsets, during the COVID-19 confinement period and the levels of well-being of users. Our study involved n = 56 participants divided into two groups of users and non-users of HMD headset. They answered 2 SWEMWBS and ONS questionnaires plus a social trust question. The results show a significant correlation between the use of virtual reality headset during COVID-19 lockdown and the level of relaxation and optimistic feeling but also a correlation between this use of VR (Virtual Reality) HMD and the feeling of being less close to others during the same period.

The study of reactive and active modes of educational communication in the process of solving educational tasks by students in a virtual reality environment

Introduction. The introduction of virtual technologies into the vocational training system makes it urgent to solve the task of adjusting communication in a situation where the student is in a virtual reality environment, while the teacher is in the real world. The research purpose is to study the role of two types of educational communication (reactive and active ones) with a student solving an educational task in a virtual reality environment, taking into account the gaming experience and the dominant type of student's perception. Materials and methods. During the laboratory experiment with the use of virtual reality headsets, the skill of hand-eye coordination was worked out on a sample of undergraduate teacher-training students (N=36). The author's questionnaire was used to assess the gaming experience, the dominant type of student's perception was assessed using the VARK Questionnaire (Version 7.8) by N. Fleming and S. Mills. The reliability of the data obtained was assessed using the chi-square test and the Student's t-test. Research results. There are no statistically significant differences between the groups of reactive and active communication in all indicators, with the exception of the experience of getting acquainted with virtual reality. The number of questions regarding the methods and sequence of performing game actions in the reactive group was the greatest (2.28), the same indicator in the group with active communication was insignificant (0.40). In the group with reactive communication, the subjects asked twice as many questions as in the group with active communication (4.78 and 2.44, respectively). Conclusions. The results confirm the hypothesis that the reactive and active modes of educational communication play different roles in the interaction between the teacher and the student. The dominant type of student's perception does not affect the process of organizing educational communication in a virtual reality environment. It is useful to take into account the results obtained at the stage of support of students' educational activities in a virtual reality environment in the context of providing active and reactive assistance by the teacher.

Investigating the Use of Virtual Reality Headsets for Postural Control Assessment: Instrument Validation Study.

BackgroundAccurately measuring postural sway is an important part of balance assessment and rehabilitation. Although force plates give accurate measurements, their costs and space requirements make their use impractical in many situations.ObjectiveThe work presented in this paper aimed to address this issue by validating a virtual reality (VR) headset as a relatively low-cost alternative to force plates for postural sway measurement. The HTC Vive (HTC Corporation) VR headset has built-in sensors that allow for position and orientation tracking, making it a potentially effective tool for balance assessments.MethodsParticipants in this study were asked to stand upright on a force plate (NeuroCom; Natus Medical Incorporated) while wearing the HTC Vive. Position data were collected from the headset and force plate simultaneously as participants experienced a custom-built VR environment that covered their entire field of view. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to examine the test-retest reliability of the postural control variables, which included the normalized path length, root mean square (RMS), and peak-to-peak (P2P) value. These were computed from the VR position output data and the center of pressure (COP) data from the force plate. Linear regression was used to investigate the correlations between the VR and force plate measurements.ResultsOur results showed that the test-retest reliability of the RMS and P2P value of VR headset outputs (ICC: range 0.285-0.636) was similar to that of the RMS and P2P value of COP outputs (ICC: range 0.228-0.759). The linear regression between VR and COP measures showed significant correlations in RMSs and P2P values.ConclusionsBased on our results, the VR headset has the potential to be used for postural control measurements. However, the further development of software and testing protocols for balance assessments is needed.

An Empirical Study of Trends of Popular Virtual Reality Games and Their Complaints

The market for virtual reality (VR) games is growing rapidly and is expected to grow from 3.3 billion in 2018 to 13.7 billion in 2022. Due to the immersive nature of such games and the use of VR headsets, players may have complaints about VR games, which are distinct from those about traditional computer games, and an understanding of those complaints could enable developers to better take advantage of the growing VR market. We conduct an empirical study of 750 popular VR games and 17 635 user reviews on Steam in order to understand trends in VR games and their complaints. We find that the VR games market is maturing. Fewer VR games are released each month, but their quality appears to be improving over time. Most games support multiple headsets and play areas, and support for smaller scale play areas is increasing. Complaints of cybersickness are rare and declining, indicating that players are generally more concerned with other issues. Recently, complaints about game-specific issues have become the most frequent type of complaint, and VR game developers can now focus on these issues and worry less about VR-comfort issues such as cybersickness.

A study of the use of virtual reality headsets in Chinese adolescents with intellectual disability

Background: Virtual reality technologies (VRTs) present many characteristics that can facilitate learning, especially in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). The VRT head-mounted display (HMD) has recently shown significant technological improvement. This study aims to prove the suitability of the newer commercially available VRT HMDs used in interventions for adolescents with ID in China. To this end, we explored the acceptance, immersion, and negative effects for adolescents with ID in a series of virtual environments. Methods: Forty-nine adolescents with ID (33 boys and 16 girls, IQ < 70), aged 11 to 21, from three special schools participated in this study. Questionnaires, observations, and interviews were used to investigate their views while using a VR HMD. Results: Our analysis found that most participants narrated a pleasant experience using HMD and a series of VR experiences and experienced a high level of immersion accompanied by low negative effects. In addition, our study found that the gender variable was independent of the acceptance of HMDs and the immersion experience. Conclusions: Overall, this study suggests that the HMD is accepted by most Chinese adolescents with ID; thus, its application has great potential in China.

Immersive Virtual Reality and Ocular Tracking for Brain Mapping During Awake Surgery: Prospective Evaluation Study.

BackgroundLanguage mapping during awake brain surgery is currently a standard procedure. However, mapping is rarely performed for other cognitive functions that are important for social interaction, such as visuospatial cognition and nonverbal language, including facial expressions and eye gaze. The main reason for this omission is the lack of tasks that are fully compatible with the restrictive environment of an operating room and awake brain surgery procedures.ObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a virtual reality headset equipped with an eye-tracking device that is able to promote an immersive visuospatial and social virtual reality (VR) experience for patients undergoing awake craniotomy.MethodsWe recruited 15 patients with brain tumors near language and/or motor areas. Language mapping was performed with a naming task, DO 80, presented on a computer tablet and then in 2D and 3D via the VRH. Patients were also immersed in a visuospatial and social VR experience.ResultsNone of the patients experienced VR sickness, whereas 2 patients had an intraoperative focal seizure without consequence; there was no reason to attribute these seizures to virtual reality headset use. The patients were able to perform the VR tasks. Eye tracking was functional, enabling the medical team to analyze the patients’ attention and exploration of the visual field of the virtual reality headset directly.ConclusionsWe found that it is possible and safe to immerse the patient in an interactive virtual environment during awake brain surgery, paving the way for new VR-based brain mapping procedures.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03010943; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03010943.