Virtual Reality Techniques Research Articles

Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of reinitiation into methamphetamine abusers: qualitative findings from an exploration of methamphetamine abusers in Shanghai, China

BackgroundDespite high relapse rate among methamphetamine (MA) abusers, there still have been little empirical data to date detecting the risk factors related to craving and relapse from the perspective of...

Application of diffusion tensor imaging combined with virtual reality three-dimensional reconstruction in the operation of gliomas involved eloquent regions

To investigate the values of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and virtual reality (VR) techniques in design surgery program of gliomas near eloquent regions. In this study, 35 cases were retrospectively analyzed with gliomas involved language areas or rolandic regions operated in Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University Third Hospital from January 2015 to January 2019. Surgery programs were performed by Dextroscope virtual reality system. The pre-operative data, such as the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA) and DTI was transferred into the VR computer for restitution,Tumors, neural fiber tracts and blood vessels were reconstructed to simulate operation and design individual surgical plan. Neurological function was evaluated 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after operation. Virtual reality three-dimensional images of the 35 cases were successfully achieved, including neural fiber tracts,blood vessels and the lesions. The displacement and destruction of fiber tracts, the anatomic relationship between tumor and important fiber bundle, artery and vein could be shown clearly. Surgical simulation and surgery program of VR of the 35 patients were successfully performed. The 3D images obtained from virtual reality near to the real surgery. Ten of the 35 cases were defined as rolandic regions tumors, 14 of the 35 cases were defined as language areas tumors and 11 of the 35 cases involved both language areas and rolandic regions. Complete resection of enhancing tumor (CRET) was achieved in 30 cases (85.7%), subtotal resection in 5 cases (14.3%), neurological function improved in 34 cases (97.1%) after operation,and 1 case had no improvement compared with that before(2.9%). Thirteen cases without neurological deficit pre-operation, showed transient neurological deficit ,which were recovered about 10 days post-operation, 12 of 22 cases with pre-operative neurologic deficit, improved one week postoperation, 9 of 22 cases with pre-operative neurologic deficit improved one month after operation, the rest 1 case was recurrent with glioblastoma with aggravated hemiplegia symptom after operation, who died of cerebral hernia 2 months later. Dextroscope virtual reality system can clearly expose and quantify the 3D anatomic relationship of tumors, neural fiber tracts and blood vessels surrounding gliomas near eloquent regions, which is helpful to design the best individualized surgery program, to improve surgical effect.

Crisis management training using discrete-event simulation and virtual reality techniques

Conducting emergency drills in an actual environment is workforce and resources intensive. Hence, organisations often hesitate to conduct emergency exercises frequently. Because of the limited number of opportunities to conduct drills in a year, the content of the emergency drills can only focus on common cases and exclude rare cases. This constraint also restricts the members of crisis response teams from exploring and verifying new methods for tackling a crisis. Therefore, this research uses information and communication technology (ICT), virtual reality (VR) and discrete-event simulation (DES) technologies to develop a hazard simulation system with the capability to recreate large scale and multi-agency emergency incidents that would be otherwise too costly, complex and dangerous to reproduce in the actual system. With this system, organisations can conduct emergency drills inside a virtual world having a close correspondence with their real physical apparition. This training method is called virtual collaborative simulation-based training (VCST). Two laboratory-based studies were conducted to examine user perceptions about the VCST method. A total of 60 university students majored in managerial-related subjects were enrolled, and the results showed that the proposed method appears to be a feasible approach for practising crisis management training. Further research is needed to verify the findings in larger samples and different populations.

Virtual Reality-Based Evaluation of Surgical Planning and Outcome of Monosegmental, Unilateral Cervical Foraminal Stenosis

Foraminal cervical nerve root compression can be caused by lateral disk herniation or osteophyte formation of the vertebrae. Improved diagnosis and evaluation can be achieved using different imaging techniques: radiographs, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging. We retrospectively evaluated the potential influence of a virtual reality (VR) visualization technique on surgery planning and evaluation of postoperative results in patients with monosegmental, unilateral osseous cervical neuroforaminal stenosis. Seventy-three patients were included. Ventral decompression of the neuroforamen was performed in 41 patients, dorsal decompression in 32 patients. Patients' files were evaluated. CT scans were visualized via VR software to measure the smallest cross-sectional area of the intervertebral neuroforamen in the lateral resection region. A questionnaire evaluated the influence of VR technique on surgical planning and strategy. The VR-technique had a moderate influence on the choice of the approach (ventral or dorsal), a significant influence on the ventral approach strategy, and no influence on the positioning of the patient or the dorsal approach strategy. A significant difference was found in the size of the smallest cross-sectional area of the intervertebral neuroforamen in the lateral resection region between ventral and dorsal approaches, with no correlation to the clinical outcome. Reconstruction of pre- and postoperative 2D-CT images of the cervical spine into 3D images, and the spatial and anatomical reconstructions in VR models, can be helpful in planning surgical approaches and treatment strategies for patients with cervical foraminal stenoses, and for evaluation of their postoperative results.

Digital factory – virtual reality environments for industrial training and maintenance

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the use of virtual reality (VR) platforms, which is an integrated part of the digital factory for an industrial training and maintenance system. The digital factory-based VR platform provides an intuitive and immersive human–computer interface, which can be an efficient tool for industrial training and maintenance services. The outcomes from this study suggested that use of the VR platform for training and maintenance of complex industrial tasks should be encouraged and use of the VR platform for that purpose should be further evaluated. This paper highlighted the generic concept of the application of virtual reality technique within the digital factory to industrial maintenance and to build a low-cost VR application for a training and maintenance system. An application case on virtual reality technique in a power plant operations and maintenance is demonstrated within the scope of this research. Overall research implications on virtual reality concept in industrial applications are concluded with future research directions.

A Novel Virtual Reality Technique (Cervigame®) Compared to Conventional Proprioceptive Training to Treat Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Despite the potential benefits of virtual reality technology in physical rehabilitation, only a few studies have evaluated the efficacy of this type of treatment in patients with neck pain.Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of virtual reality training (VRT) versus conventional proprioceptive training (CPT) in patients with neck pain.Methods: Forty four participants with nonspecific chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to VRT or CPT in this assessor-blinded clinical trial. A novel videogame called Cervigame® was designed for VRT. It comprises of 50 stages divided into unidirectional and two-directional stages ordered from easy to hard. CPT consisted of eye-follow, gaze stability, eye-head coordination and position and movement sense training. Both groups completed 8 training sessions over 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale score, neck disability index and Y-balance test results were recorded at baseline, immediately after and 5 weeks post-intervention. Mixed repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze differences between mean values for each variable at an alpha level of 0.05.Results: There were significant improvements in all variables in both groups immediately after and 5 weeks after the intervention. Greater improvements were observed in the visual analogue scale and neck disability index scores in VRT group, and the results for all directions in Y-balance test were similar in both groups. No side effects were reported.Conclusion: Improvements in neck pain and disability were greater in VRT than CPT group. Cervigame® is a potentially practical tool for rehabilitation in patients with neck pain.

Application experience of military operation simulation based on virtual reality techniques for military robotic systems evaluation

Application experience of military operation simulation based on virtual reality techniques for military robotic systems evaluation

공간위상학적 특성과 관광환경정보가 공간 인지와 만족에 미치는 영향

This study aims to construct the spatial topological characteristics of tourism space by utilizing virtual reality technique and to confirm the influence of tourist spatial cognition from them on satisfaction. It is also intended to reveal which tourist information is more affected by cognition change of tourists depending on the spatial topology. To verify given hypotheses, quasi-experimental study was conducted in this study. For factorial designs 2(Spatial topological characteristics: LOW vs HIGH) × 2(Tourist Information System vs Request for help) was set. Results showed a difference in tourist spatial recognition according to spatial topology characteristics in virtual reality where the same facility is deployed. In addition, it was found that the information on the tourism environment have different levels of interaction effects in spaces with different spatial topology characteristics.

Development of sustainable landscape design guidelines for a green business park using virtual reality

Green business parks (GBPs) are attractive to employees because of their environmental and social benefits. Recently, sustainability has become an international trend that is intended to tackle climate change. Therefore, there is a persistent need for sustainable landscapes in GBPs to ensure that workplaces are productive and healthy. The main focus of this research is developing a methodology of the GBPs` landscapes, in order to guide the stakeholders in the decision-making process. Moreover, getting users` and experts` opinions using Virtual Reality (VR) techniques plays an essential role to correctly predicting how a space will perform. By considering these contexts and their significance to sustainable development in a hot-dry climate area, the study evaluates the practice of landscape design for a GBP in terms of compactness and greenness. Consequently, three different landscape design models—formal, xeriscape, and biomimicry designs—were constructed as 2D and 3D models on AutoCAD and SketchUp. Then, the three alternatives are evaluated by experts and users using VR headset and mobile devices (MDs). The main finding is merging the sustainable principles with the aesthetic appearance which satisfies the users` opinions. The essential aim of this study is creating guidelines for sustainable landscape design for the future GBPs.

Immersive interaction design based on perception of vector field climate data

Increasing the perception of climate data plays an important role in meteorological data analysis. However, the presentation and human–computer interaction of most existing climate data display systems is still limited to two-dimensional screen space, which affects the user’s acquisition analysis and understanding of data. In order to help users to obtain a greater degree of information and improve user experience, this paper designs a vector climate data perception system based on virtual reality and gesture interaction techniques by using data visualization and dynamic gesture interaction. The experiments show that the proposed intuitive visual analysis system of 3D space data provides users with a highly immersive data acquisition platform, and helps users to understand data more effectively.

Zastosowanie techniki wirtualnej i poszerzonej rzeczywistości do wizualizacji wyników analiz numerycznych MES

An innovative approach for presenting the results of numerical FEM analysis is presented. Proposed visualization method uses virtual and augmented reality techniques for this purpose. The practical application of the new tool is presented on the example of strength analysis of the side beam of the curtainsider semi-trailer.

Employing Virtual Reality Techniques in environment adaptation for autistic children

This paper discusses the architecture design of Virtual environment for autism spectrum disorder, this design aims to save time and costs to provide a real environment for autistic children. Our methodology consists of building environment using Unity3d under the supervision of specialist; this way will allow us to mentor the user’s interaction with the VR system as well as the interaction with the parents of the user under the same framework. This System demonstrate the concept of implementing VR into the educational system for individuals with ASD based on ABA therapy. That is, can lead to the integration of new educational tool that can be used in favor of schooling children with ASD.

Control system design for tokamak remote maintenance operations using assisted virtual reality and haptic feedback

To meet the future electricity demands, tokamak based nuclear fusion machine is an attractive option for the researchers. The availability and reliability of these machines over a reasonable time span will be largely dependent on the planning of the remote maintenance scheme. The efficiency of the remote maintenance operations can be effectively increased by designing specialized remote handling control systems with high precision and accuracy. Huge efforts are needed to equip the RH operators with the advanced technologies that provide the real knowledge and interactions with the operating environment without being physically present. This can be achieved by using virtual reality techniques for tele-presence that may be extremely beneficial for the offline training as well as in assisting during the online RH operations. This paper outlines a concept with prototype experiments for an interactive control system using virtual reality integration and haptic feedback. Virtual 3D models of the complete work-cell have been developed and are updated synchronously for the monitoring and controlling of the robotic equipment. Force reflection servo type control strategy has been employed for the master-slave control. The proposed control system architecture and results from various test cases have been summarized here.

A practical guide to developing virtual and augmented reality exercises for teaching structural biology.

Although virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) techniques have been used extensively in specialized laboratories, only recently did they become affordable, reaching wider consumer markets. With increased availability, it is timely to examine the roles that VR and AR may play in teaching structural biology and in experiencing complex data sets such as macromolecular structures. This guide is suitable for those teachers of structural biology who do not have a deep knowledge of information technologies. This study focuses on three questions: 1) How can teachers of structural biology produce and disseminate VR/AR-ready educational material with established and user-friendly software tools?; 2) What are the positive and negative experiences reported by test participants when performing identical learning tasks in the VR and AR environments?; and 3) How do the test participants perceive prerecorded narration during VR/AR exploration? © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(1):16-24, 2018.

A Novel Virtual Reality Technique (Cervigame®) Compared to Conventional Proprioceptive Training to Treat Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background:Despite the potential benefits of virtual reality technology in physical rehabilitation, only a few studies have evaluated the efficacy of this type of treatment in patients with neck pain. Objective:The aim of this study was to compare the effects of virtual reality training (VRT) versus conventional proprioceptive training (CPT) in patients with neck pain. Materials and Methods: Forty four participants with nonspecific chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to VRT or CPT in this assessor-blinded clinical trial. A novel videogame called Cervigame® was designed for VRT. It comprises of 50 stages divided into unidirectional and two-directional stages ordered from easy to hard. CPT consisted of eye-follow, gaze stability, eye-head coordination and position and movement sense training. Both groups completed 8 training sessions over 4 weeks. Visual analogue scale score, neck disability index and Y-balance test results were recorded at baseline, immediately after and 5 weeks post-intervention. Mixed repeated measure ANOVA was used to analyze differences between mean values for each variable at an alpha level of 0.05. Results:There were significant improvements in all variables in both groups immediately after and 5 weeks after the intervention. Greater improvements were observed in the visual analogue scale and neck disability index scores in VRT group, and the results for all directions in Y-balance test were similar in both groups. No side effects were reported. Conclusion:Improvements in neck pain and disability were greater in VRT than CPT group. Cervigame® is a potentially practical tool for rehabilitation in patients with neck pain.

Testing the effectiveness of virtual reality as a defusion technique for coping with unwanted thoughts

Negative thoughts are experienced by as many as 80–99% of the population. These thoughts are associated with a variety of negative consequences, including negative mood, decreased task performance and the development of psychopathology. One technique employed in contextual behavioral therapies to help cope with negative thoughts is cognitive defusion. Cognitive defusion techniques undermine potential negative effects of thinking by teaching clients to get some distance from their thoughts. Virtual reality (VR) is the computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment that users can interact in. VR is of increasing interest to applied psychologists due to its potential for exposure learning. One area where VR may be effective is helping people to cope with negative thoughts. The current study examined the impact of a VR task as a cognitive defusion technique on participants’ relationship with a negative self-referential thought (e.g., “I am a failure”). Thirty participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (i.e., defusion VR and control VR). Participants were tested pre- and post-VR task on a state measure of cognitive defusion and ratings of their self-referential negative thought. The results indicated that a defusion VR task facilitates the management of negative thoughts and leads to an increase in state defusion. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the use of VR techniques in dealing with negative thoughts.

Effects of virtual reality and motor imagery techniques using Fugl Meyer Assessment scale in post-stroke patients

Background/Aims:To compare the effects of motor imagery and virtual reality techniques through the Fugl Meyer Assessment scale in post-stroke individuals.Methods:The volunteers were allocated into three groups: control group without intervention, but receiving conventional therapy (control group); a group that received a motor imagery programme (motor imagery group); and a group that received a virtual reality programme (virtual reality group). The Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Scale was the evaluation method adopted.Findings:There were significant differences between the motor imagery group programme intragroup comparison (P=0.005) and the virtual reality group intragroup comparison (P=0.000). There was no significant difference between the control group intragroup comparison (P=0.160), between the intergroup comparisons in the control group and the motor imagery group (P=0.163), and the intergroup comparisons between the motor imagery group and the virtual reality group (P=0.689). There was statistical significance for the intergroup comparison of the control group and the virtual reality group (P=0.031).Conclusions:Motor imagery and virtual reality are both able to increase motor function through the Fugl Meyer Upper Extremity Scale. Virtual reality has not proved to be more effective than motor imagery. Virtual reality might be more effective than conventional therapy; however, further studies with standardised protocols are necessary.

PARS: Using Augmented 360-Degree Panoramas of Reality for Construction Safety Training.

Improving the hazard-identification skills of construction workers is a vital step towards preventing accidents in the increasingly complex working conditions of construction jobsites. Training the construction workforce to recognize hazards therefore plays a central role in preparing workers to actively understand safety-related risks and make assertive safety decisions. Considering the inadequacies of traditional safety-training methods (e.g., passive lectures, videos, demonstrations), researchers have employed advanced visualization techniques such as virtual reality technologies to enable users to actively improve their hazard-identification skills in a safe and controlled environment. However, current virtual reality techniques sacrifice realism and demand high computational costs to reproduce real environments. Augmented 360-degree panoramas of reality offers an innovative alternative that creates low-cost, simple-to-capture, true-to-reality representations of the actual construction jobsite within which trainees may practice identifying hazards. This proof-of-concept study developed and evaluated a platform using augmented 360-degree panoramas of reality (PARS) for safety-training applications to enhance trainees’ hazard-identification skills for four types of sample hazards. Thirty subjects participated in a usability test that evaluated the PARS training platform and its augmented 360-degree images captured from real construction jobsites. The usability reviews demonstrate that the trainees found the platform and augmentations advantageously to learning hazard identification. The results of this study will foreseeably help researchers in developing engaging training platforms to improve the hazard-identification skills of workers.

142. Maternal hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and the association with embryonic growth trajectories

Introduction Embryonic development is under the constant influence of the intrauterine environment. This environment is determined not only by genetic factors, but also by maternal health conditions. A strong association between hypertensive disorders (pre-eclampsia and pregnancy induced hypertension) and both intrauterine growth restriction and low birth weight have been described. However, these associations are mainly limited to second and third trimester foetal growth parameters and birth weight. The association between these hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and first trimester growth parameters have not been investigated yet. Objective/hypothesis In line with the findings on second and third trimester foetal growth, we hypothesize that embryonic (first trimester) growth is reduced in women with pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders. Methods Within a large population-based cohort in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, we assessed whether there is an association between maternal hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (both pregnancy induced hypertension and preeclampsia) and embryonic growth, defined as crown-rump-length (CRL) and embryonic volume (EV) using logistic regression analysis. Embryonic volume was measured using 3D ultrasound and virtual reality techniques, which enabled us to take this accurate parameter for embryonic growth into account. Results We included 1631 pregnancies in the analysis. In our first crude model, CRL has a statistically significant association with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (p = 0.042). This accounts for a decrease of −0.22 SD CRL in women with a pregnancy complicated by a hypertensive disorder, compared to women without a hypertensive disorder. Discussion Our preliminary results suggest that embryonic (first trimester) growth is associated with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Additional analysis in which we adjust for confounding factors are currently being conducted. These will clarify the pathway through which embryonic growth is impaired. Moreover, the association with embryonic volume is being analysed, since this is a more accurate parameter for embryonic growth compared to the crown-rump-length.

Locomotion in virtual reality for room scale tracked areas

Abstract Virtual reality (VR) is becoming a more popular and available technology, with the new generation systems and more content specifically developed for this medium. One of the crucial components of VR applications is locomotion, which is used for moving the viewpoint of user in virtual environments. Locomotion in VR is expected to have a direct effect on user experience in terms of effort, enjoyment, frustration, motion sickness and presence. To date, many locomotion techniques for VR have been studied. However, these techniques were primarily evaluated in large tracked areas (larger than 16 ft by 16 ft). On the contrary, emerging consumer VR systems typically track within smaller room scales. In this study, eight VR locomotion techniques were investigated in a room-scale tracked area (8 ft by 8 ft). These eight locomotion techniques are: redirected walking, walk-in-place, stepper machine, point & teleport, joystick, trackball, hand flapping and flying. A user study was performed with 15 participants. Results indicated that point & teleport, joystick and redirected walking were suitable VR locomotion techniques for room scale tracked areas whereas hand flapping and flying were not suitable.