Virtual Reality Assessment Research Articles

B - 78 Virtual Reality Versus Analog Performance and the Age-Related Paradox of Prospective Memory.

A prospective memory (PM) task in virtual reality (VR) was developed to investigate whether older adults perform better when tested in true-to-life environments, as they do in naturalistic environments according to the age-related paradox. The purpose of this study was to compare younger and older adults on PM tasks in analog and VR environments. Older adults (N = 87; ages 60-90) and younger adults (N = 54; ages 18-26) were administered PM tasks using analog and virtual reality environments, as part of the Virtual Kitchen Protocol. A two-way, mixed-subjects analysis of variance indicated that both age groups performed better on the analog PM task than on the VR task (F[1, 139] = 48.32, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.26), and that younger adults performed better than older adults on both PM tasks (F[1, 139] = 76.90, p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.36). While PM performance was higher on the analog task for both age groups, performance on the VR task decreased similarly for younger and older adults. The life-like distractors in VR appeared to impact both age cohorts equivalently, suggesting that VR assessment is equally valid with older adults as it is with younger adults. Although the VR setting was selected to imitate real life, the environment details did not appear specific enough to replicate the boost found in older adults' PM in naturalistic environments. Future research on PM should model VR tasks after individuals' home environments to tap into the over-learned habits utilized in individuals' everyday lives.

Hidden Markov Model Deep Learning Architecture for Virtual Reality Assessment to Compute Human–Machine Interaction-Based Optimization Model

Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that immerses users in a simulated, computer-generated environment. It creates a sense of presence, allowing individuals to interact with and experience virtual worlds. Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) refers to the communication and interaction between humans and machines. Optimization plays a crucial role in Virtual Reality (VR) and Human-Machine Interaction (HMI) to enhance the overall user experience and system performance. This paper proposed an architecture of the Hidden Markov Model with Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) integrated with Salp Swarm Algorithm (SSA) for the automated Human-Machine Interaction. The proposed architecture is stated as a Hidden Markov model Grey Relational Salp Swarm (HMM_ GRSS). The proposed HMM_GRSS model estimates the feature vector of the variables in the virtual reality platform and compute the feature spaces. The HMM_GRSS architecture aims to estimate the feature vector of variables within the VR platform and compute the feature spaces. Hidden Markov Models are used to model the temporal behavior and dynamics of the system, allowing for predictions and understanding of the interactions. Grey Relational Analysis is employed to evaluate the relationship and relevance between variables, aiding in feature selection and optimization. The SSA helps optimize the feature spaces by simulating the collective behavior of salp swarms, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the HMI system. The proposed HMM_GRSS architecture aims to enhance the automated HMI process in a VR platform, allowing for improved interaction and communication between humans and machines. Simulation analysis provides a significant outcome for the proposed HMM_GRSS model for the estimation Human-Machine Interaction.

Just-in-Time, Just-in-Place Virtual Training in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Novel Approach to Impact the Perfusion Exam.

Early identification of shock is vital in decreasing morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Although residents are taught the perfusion portion of the rapid cardiopulmonary assessment at our institution, they perform it at the bedside with 8.4% completing 1 part of the assessment and 9.7% verbalizing their findings. Newer technologies, including virtual reality (VR), offer immersive training to close this clinical gap. To assess senior pediatric residents' performance of a perfusion exam and verbalization of their perfusion assessment following VR-based Just-in-Time/Just-in-Place (JITP) training compared to video-based JITP training. We hypothesized that JITP media training was feasible, and VR JITP was more effective than video-based training. Residents were randomized to VR or video-based training during shifts in the emergency department. Clinical performance was assessed by review of a video-recorded patient encounter using a standardized assessment tool and by an in-person, two question shock assessment. Residents completed a survey assessing attitudes toward their intervention at the time of training. Eighty-five senior pediatric residents were enrolled; 84 completed training. Sixty-four (76%) residents had a patient encounter available for video review (VR 33; Video 31). Fourteen residents in the VR group (42.4%, 95% CI 25.5% to 60.8%) and 13 residents in the video group (41.9%, 95% CI 24.6% to 60.9%) completed a perfusion exam AND verbalized an assessment during their next clinical encounter (X2 p-value 1.00). Fifty-one of 64 residents (79.7%) completed the two-step shock assessment; 50 (98%) agreed with supervising physician's assessment. VR was rated more effective than reading, low-fidelity manikin, standardized patient encounters, traditional didactic teaching, and online learning. Video was rated more effective than online learning, traditional didactic teaching, and reading. Novel video and VR JITP perfusion exam and assessment trainings are impactful and well-received by senior pediatric residents.

Development of the Virtual Kitchen Protocol for Prospective Memory: a virtual reality-based measure of everyday prospective memory abilities

ABSTRACT Introduction Prospective memory is the ability to remember to accomplish a task at a specified point in the future. While this cognitive ability has a large impact on daily functioning, it is rarely assessed during neuropsychological evaluations. Furthermore, existing clinical prospective memory measures are few in number and have significant limitations, including applicability to everyday functioning and appropriate norming for older adulthood. There are also many gaps in the literature on prospective memory, such as how environmental factors affect performance across the lifespan. Method In the current study, we develop and establish a new virtual reality-based measure of prospective memory, the Virtual Kitchen Protocol for Prospective Memory. Young adults (ages 18–29; n = 56), healthy older adults (ages 60–90; n = 94), and clinical older adults (ages 62–90; n = 30) were compared on their performances on both the developed virtual reality prospective memory test and a parallel paper-and-pencil prospective memory test to investigate the impact of test environment across participant group. Results The Virtual Kitchen Protocol for Prospective Memory was found to adequately differentiate between young adult, healthy older adult, and clinical older adult populations – suggesting baseline ability for prospective memory assessment in clinical settings with older adults and potential for future improvement of neuropsychological evaluations. Additionally, the developed virtual prospective memory task appeared to mimic environmental factors in everyday life but did not replicate the benefit previously measured in healthy older adults’ prospective memory ability in naturalistic settings. Conclusions Overall, the current study built upon extant knowledge of prospective memory in both normal and abnormal aging, suggesting future directions in replicating familiar home environments. Findings provided additional evidence toward future validation of virtual reality assessment tools in clinical neuropsychological evaluations of cognitive abilities, such as prospective memory, with both healthy and clinical older adult populations.

The Power of Artificial Intelligence in Recruitment: An Analytical Review of Current AI-Based Recruitment Strategies

Purpose: The aim of this study is to contribute to the understanding of the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment and to highlight the opportunities and challenges associated with its use. Theoretical framework: This paper provides a comprehensive analytical review of current AI-based recruitment strategies, drawing on both academic research and industry reports. Design/methodology/approach: The paper critically evaluates the potential benefits and drawbacks of using AI in recruitment and assesses the effectiveness of various AI-based recruitment strategies. Findings: The results indicate that AI-based recruitment strategies such as resume screening, candidate matching, video interviewing, chatbots, predictive analytics, gamification, virtual reality assessments, and social media screening offer significant potential benefits for organizations, including improved efficiency, cost savings, and better-quality hires. However, the use of AI in recruitment also raises ethical and legal concerns, including the potential for algorithmic bias and discrimination. Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: The study concludes by emphasizing the need for further research and development to ensure that AI-based recruitment strategies are effective, unbiased, and aligned with ethical and legal standards. Originality/value: The value of the study lies in its comprehensive exploration of AI in recruitment, synthesizing insights from academic and industry perspectives, and assessing the balance of potential benefits against ethical and legal concerns.

Student perceptions of the use of three-dimensional (3-D) virtual reality (VR) simulation in the delivery of radiation protection training for radiography and medical students

BackgroundVR simulation-based learning is increasingly used in healthcare education to prepare students for clinical practice. This study investigates healthcare students' experience of learning radiation safety in a simulated interventional radiology (IR) suite. MethodRadiography students (n = 35) and medical students (n = 100) were introduced to 3D VR radiation dosimetry software designed to improve the learners' understanding of radiation safety in IR. Radiography students underwent formal VR training and assessment, which was complemented with clinical placement. Medical students practiced similar 3D VR activities informally without assessment. An online questionnaire containing Likert questions and open-ended questions was used to gather student feedback on the perceived value of VR-based radiation safety education. Descriptive statistics and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to analyse Likert-questions. Open-ended question responses were thematically analysed. ResultsA survey response rate of 49% (n = 49) and 77% (n = 27) was obtained from radiography and medical students respectively. Most respondents (80%) enjoyed their 3D VR learning experience, favouring the in-person VR experience to online VR. 73% felt that VR learning enhanced their confidence across all relevant learning outcomes. Whilst confidence was enhanced across both cohorts, VR learning had a greater impact on confidence levels amongst medical students with respect to their understanding of radiation safety matters (U = 375.5, p < 0.01). 3D VR was deemed a valuable assessment tool. ConclusionRadiation dosimetry simulation-based learning in the 3D VR IR suite is perceived to be a valuable pedagogical tool by radiography and medical students and enhances curricula content.

A Virtual Reality Assessment of Teamwork in Laboratory Safety

A variety of strategies have been introduced to tackle the issue of laboratory safety in academic settings. These strategies include innovative educational tools as students transition from the classroom into the laboratory, the introduction of policies designed to protect the researchers in the laboratory environment, and the creation of teams of peers at the departmental level that focus on creating a culture of safety. We recently developed, as a training exercise, virtual reality (VR) modules that replicate the visual and auditory complexities of authentic research laboratories ( J. Chem. Educ. 2022, 99, 1982−1989). We have now used the VR environments to compare the relative abilities of individuals and of teams to identify laboratory hazards by quantifying several variables: time spent in the virtual environment, percentage of total hazards identified, percentage of hazards correctly characterized, number of attempts to identify hazards, and number of requests for assistance. In addition, an online survey was used to assess the perceptions of individual and team performances by the participants. Quantitative measures demonstrated the superior performances of teams versus that of individuals. Intriguingly, the smaller coefficient of variance associated with these metrics for teams (versus individuals) implies a group dynamic that suppresses outliers. Finally, results from the online survey reveal that the team format is perceived to be more effective than individuals in identifying hazards. However, team leaders were more subdued in their enthusiasm for the group format than were the members of their teams, which appears to be associated with subtle group dynamics.

Public Preference of Biowall Area Configuration by Virtual Reality Assessment

Public Preference of Biowall Area Configuration by Virtual Reality Assessment

Assessment of Virtual Reality Devices as a Means of Objectively Monitoring Parkinson’s Disease (P10-11.014)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To show that consumer virtual reality (VR) devices are capable of providing statistically reliable and replicable data on treatment response in Parkinson Disease (PD). <h3>Background:</h3> Parkinson’s disease results in motor dysfunction with varying response to exogenous levodopa. Response to treatment is monitored with ratings scale such as the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). However, this paradigm of care results in slow response times and limited reliability. The development of technologies to assist with clinical assessments is essential to improving care. Mass market VR devices with their ability to measure movement and generate testing environments may be able to increase objectivity, validity, and monitoring frequency. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Individuals with levodopa responsive PD without other complicating conditions were selected (n=20). Participants were first evaluated in their off-state using the UPDRS motor scale and participated in a virtual reality assessment which mirrored the clinical exam. Hand positioning was recorded. Afterwards, levodopa was administered and individuals were reassessed clinically and with the VR device. <h3>Results:</h3> Severity of tremor decreased after levodopa administration in all assessed states with statistical significance achieved reliably in two of three states (p&lt;0.05). Bradykinesia measures improved in all three states, though statistical significance was only achieved reliably in one state. For tremor, strong correlations between various device and physician measures of tremor severity were present (r = 0.5–0.8). For bradykinesia, moderate correlations existed between the state which had achieved statistical significance in the on-off state comparison (r ~ 0.5). Patient perception surveys noted most individuals were willing to incorporate similar devices into their care. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> VR devices are can detect patient responsiveness to levodopa and device generated metrics correlate with validated physician metrics. Device use is accepted and essentially side-effect free. This study argues for the further evaluation of PD by VR devices with future focus on complex tasks. <b>Disclosure:</b> An immediate family member of Dr. Hirczy has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Meta. Dr. Hirczy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Author with Slack Enterprises. The institution of Dr. Salinas has received research support from North Texas VA Health Care System New Investigator Award.

The future potential of virtual reality countermeasures for maintaining behavioural health during long duration space exploration

Long duration space exploration is no longer a fantasy, with Elon Musk claiming to launch astronauts to Mars as early as 2029. The substantial increase in spaceflight duration required for a Mars mission has resulted in a stronger focus on behavioural health outcomes at NASA, with increased interest in using virtual reality countermeasures to both monitor and promote psychological wellbeing. From the perspective of a practitioner psychologist, this paper first considers the utility of virtual reality assessment of emerging behavioural health concerns for remote monitoring purposes. Key opportunities include using virtual reality for functional cognitive testing and leveraging the predictive abilities of multimodal data for personalised insights into symptomology. Suggestions are given as to how astronauts can self-monitor usage of virtual leisure activities that facilitate positive emotional experiences. Secondly, the potential to develop virtual reality countermeasures to deliver semi-structured therapeutic interventions such as collaborative cognitive-behavioural formulation in the absence of real-time communication is discussed. Finally, considerations for the responsible implementation of psychological monitoring tools are reviewed within a context of fostering psychological safety and reducing stigma.

Virtual reality assessment of walking in a modifiable urban environment: a feasibility and acceptability study

Physical activity is known to be one of the most health-beneficial behaviors, and salutogenic design modifications to the built environment can facilitate increased physical activity. Unfortunately, it is not often clear in advance which environmental and urban design implementations will generate increases in activities such as walking, and which will have little impact or even reduce walking. The present study tested the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual reality (VR) model for pre-testing urban designs for their impact on walking. Using a wearable VR head-mounted display/computer, young adults (n = 40) walked freely through a large indoor gymnasium, simultaneously walking through a virtual model of an urban streetscape that was designed to be modifiable and allow for testing impacts on walking of various changes to the urban environment. The majority of participants found the experience to be acceptable: pleasant and nonaversive, and they walked freely through the VR model for approximately 20 min, on average. Using modifiable VR models to pre-test built-environment changes for their impacts on walking behavior appears to be a feasible and acceptable approach and worthy of continued research investigation.

INVESTIGATING THE OPTIMAL VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING STRATEGY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL COMPARING SPACED VERSUS MASSED TRAINING IN THE DIRECT ANTERIOR APPROACH FOR TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY

Evidence supporting the use of virtual reality (VR) training in orthopaedic procedures is rapidly growing. However, the impact of the timing of delivery of this training is yet to be tested. We aimed to investigate whether spaced VR training is more effective than massed VR training.24 medical students with no hip arthroplasty experience were randomised to learning the direct anterior approach total hip arthroplasty using the same VR simulation, training either once-weekly or once-daily for four sessions. Participants underwent a baseline physical world assessment on a saw bone pelvis. The VR program recorded procedural errors, time, assistive prompts required and hand path length across four sessions. The VR and physical world assessments were repeated at one-week, one-month, and 3 months after the last training session.Baseline characteristics between the groups were comparable (p &gt; 0.05). The daily group demonstrated faster skills acquisition, reducing the median ± IQR number of procedural errors from 68 ± 67.05 (session one) to 7 ± 9.75 (session four), compared to the weekly group's improvement from 63 ± 27 (session one) to 13 ± 15.75 (session four), p &lt; 0.001. The weekly group error count plateaued remaining at 14 ± 6.75 at one-week, 16.50 ± 16.25 at one-month and 26.45 ± 22 at 3-months, p &lt; 0.05. However, the daily group showed poorer retention with error counts rising to 16 ± 12.25 at one-week, 17.50 ± 23 at one-month and 41.45 ± 26 at 3-months, p&lt;0.01. A similar effect was noted for the number of assistive prompts required, procedural time and hand path length. In the real-world assessment, both groups significantly improved their acetabular component positioning accuracy, and these improvements were equally maintained (p&lt;0.01).Daily VR training facilitates faster skills acquisition; however weekly practice has superior skills retention.

Capturing cognitive changes in multiple sclerosis by performance-based functional and virtual reality assessments.

Cognitive impairment (CI) has been recognized as one of the core multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms that profoundly impact lives of people with MS (PwMS). Clinical trials have begun to focus on cognition as a primary or secondary outcome, but translating improvements in cognitive testing scores to functioning in the real world is difficult. Performance-based functional assessments and virtual reality (VR) assessments, which incorporate real-world challenges, have been proposed as a way to better assess functional cognition (i.e., cognitive performance and its impact on real-life cognitive functioning of PwMS) and could address the difficulty in evaluating the impact of a treatment on real-world functioning. In this narrative review, we identify and summarize some of the promising recent research applications of performance-based functional assessments and VR tools to assess functional cognition in MS. Overall, most of the studies suggest that functional and VR assessments can detect cognitive differences between people with and without MS and between PwMS with and without CI. Furthermore, performance on some of the functional and VR assessments was associated with performance on standard cognitive assessments. However, developing any guidelines on how to implement these assessments in clinical practice is difficult because of the relatively small sample size across these studies. Performance-based functional and VR assessments represent an innovative approach to increasing sensitivity of how cognitive impairments/abilities present in the daily life of PwMS. More studies, with a larger sample size, robust research methods, and pre- and post-treatment assessments, are warranted to validate relevant, accessible functional and VR assessments before implementing these assessment approaches in clinical practice.

Remote virtual reality assessment elucidates self-blame-related action tendencies in depression

BackgroundAction tendencies are implicit cognitive and motivational states before an action is taken, such as feeling like hiding when experiencing shame or guilt, independent of the actions people decide to take. Such “action tendencies” are key to understanding the maladaptive impact of self-blame in depression. For example, feeling like “hiding” in a text-based task was previously associated with recurrence risk in remitted depression. Despite their functional importance, action tendencies have not been systematically investigated in current depression, which was the aim of this pre-registered study. MethodsWe developed and validated the first virtual reality (VR) assessment of blame-related action tendencies and compared current depression (n = 98) with control participants (n = 40). The immersive VR-task, pre-programmed on devices sent to participants’ homes, used hypothetical social interactions, in which either participants (self-agency) or their friend (other-agency) were described to have acted inappropriately. ResultsCompared with controls, people with depression showed a maladaptive profile: particularly in the other-agency condition, rather than feeling like verbally attacking their friend, they were prone to feeling like hiding, and punishing themselves. Interestingly, feeling like punishing oneself was associated with a history of self-harm but not suicide attempts. ConclusionsCurrent depression and self-harm history were linked with distinctive motivational signatures, paving the way for remote VR-based stratification and treatment.

Movement Regularity Differentiates Specialized and Nonspecialized Athletes in a Virtual Reality Soccer Header Task.

Young athletes who specialize early in a single sport may subsequently be at increased risk of injury. While heightened injury risk has been theorized to be related to volume or length of exposure to a single sport, the development of unhealthy, homogenous movement patterns, and rigid neuromuscular control strategies may also be indicted. Unfortunately, traditional laboratory assessments have limited capability to expose such deficits due to the simplistic and constrained nature of laboratory measurement techniques and analyses. To overcome limitations of prior studies, the authors proposed a soccer-specific virtual reality header assessment to characterize the generalized movement regularity of 44 young female athletes relative to their degree of sport specialization (high vs low). Participants also completed a traditional drop vertical jump assessment. During the virtual reality header assessment, significant differences in center of gravity sample entropy (a measure of movement regularity) were present between specialized (center of gravity sample entropy: mean = 0.08, SD = 0.02) and nonspecialized center of gravity sample entropy: mean = 0.10, SD = 0.03) groups. Specifically, specialized athletes exhibited more regular movement patterns during the soccer header than the nonspecialized athletes. However, no significant between-group differences were observed when comparing participants' center of gravity time series data from the drop vertical jump assessment. This pattern of altered movement strategy indicates that realistic, sport-specific virtual reality assessments may be uniquely beneficial in exposing overly rigid movement patterns of individuals who engage in repeated sport specialized practice.

Ecological validity of virtual reality simulations in workstation health and safety assessment

The last decade saw a rapid rise of interest in Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, driven by more mature hardware and software tools. Within the ongoing digitalization of industry, VR technologies see uses in workstation design, operator training and tele-operation. This article focuses on how VR can contribute to workstation design including health and safety assessment. VR allows the inclusion of the operator in the workstation design process, permitting evaluation of the design in a safe, interactive and immersive virtual environment. This systematic literature review aims to qualify the ecological validity of VR tools and identify the current obstacles to safe and successful workstation design transfer. A standard systematic literature review procedure is used, on a wide selection of experimental research articles studying the validity of VR, within or outside of industrial contexts. We aggregate results from fundamental research on VR ecological validity regarding user perceptions, movement, cognition and stress. These results are discussed with respect to their influence on workstation OSH assessment in VR. Furthermore, we identify current technological factors and upcoming developments that mediate the validity of VR assessments.

VStore: Feasibility and acceptability of a novel virtual reality functional cognition task

Virtual reality (VR) is becoming an increasingly popular tool in neuroscience and mental health research. In recent years, efforts have been made to virtualise neuropsychological testing with the intent to increase the ecological validity of cognitive assessments. However, there are some limitations in the current literature—feasibility and acceptability data are often not reported or available and sample sizes have generally been small. In this study, we describe the development and establish the feasibility and acceptability of use of a novel functional cognition VR shopping task, VStore, in three separate samples with data from a total of 210 participants. Two samples include healthy volunteers between the ages of 20 and 79 and there is one clinical cohort of patients with psychosis. Main VStore outcomes were: 1) verbal recall of 12 grocery items, 2) time to collect items, 3) time to select items on a self-checkout machine, 4) time to make the payment, 5) time to order hot drink, and 6) total time. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed by the completion rate across the three studies. VR induced adverse effects were assessed pre- and post-VStore administration to establish tolerability. Finally, as an exploratory objective, VStore’s ability to differentiate between younger and older age groups, and between patients and matched healthy controls was examined as preliminary indication of its potential utility. The overall completion rate across the studies was exceptionally high (99.95%), and VStore did not induce any adverse effects. Additionally, there was a clear difference in VStore performance metrics between both the patients and controls and between younger and older age groups, suggesting potential clinical utility of this VR assessment. These findings demonstrate that VStore is a promising neuropsychological tool that is well-tolerated and feasible to administer to both healthy and clinical populations. We discuss the implications for future research involving neuropsychological testing based on our experience and the contemporary literature.

Computer-based virtual reality assessment of functional capacity in primary psychosis.

Computer-based virtual reality assessment of functional capacity in primary psychosis.

The Integration of Assistive Technology and Virtual Reality for Assessment and Recovery of Post-coma Patients With Disorders of Consciousness: A New Hypothesis

OPINION article Front. Psychol., 11 July 2022Sec. Psychology for Clinical Settings https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.905811

Virtual reality and speech analysis for the assessment of impulsivity and decision-making: protocol for a comparison with neuropsychological tasks and self-administered questionnaires

IntroductionImpulsivity is present in a range of mental disorders and has been associated with suicide. Traditional measures of impulsivity have certain limitations, such as the lack of ecological validity. Virtual...