Virtual Reality最新文献

With the development of computer technology, it is possible to design virtual reality (VR) media that provides services to multiple users. Hall’s proxemics theory, which holds that the distance varies depending on the relationship between people, has been applied when designing VR in such media. However, this concept was usually applied to designs without criticism and without confirming whether proxemic distances established in physical space are equally valid in VR. This study investigated how proxemics in VR activate differently from those in a physical space. We measured the distance and the number of instances of direct contact between people, with 69 participants from Korea and Turkiye. As a result, a proxemics pattern similar to that of a physical space appeared in VR. However, the average distance between participants in the VR was about 160% greater than in the physical space. Also, we could observe direct contact up to 260% more in the VR than in the physical space. We analyzed the collected data using Bayesian ANOVA and t-tests. We could clarify the difference between the two proxemics in physical space and VR, but the reason for the phenomenon has yet to be discovered. However, this study is meaningful because any industry designing VR, such as those in digital games, can directly apply the findings to manipulate multiple users’ emotions and experiences more efficiently. Additionally, this study provides directions for any future studies discussing VR design.

Abstract

Chronic neck pain is one of the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders, with high prevalence worldwide. Rehabilitation is an essential component of therapeutic strategy. Virtual reality based rehabilitation (VRBR) is a powerful distraction technique that could be beneficial for chronic neck pain patients. The objective of this systematic review was to analyse the effectiveness of VRBR in chronic neck pain treatment. We followed the PRISMA guidelines and used four databases (CINAHL, Medline (Via PubMed), Scopus and Web of Science) from their inception to August 2023. Eligibility criteria were established using PICOS. Methodological quality was evaluated with the Downs and Black scale and the risk of bias with the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan software. Six studies were included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis. We observed significant differences in favour of VRBR for pain intensity (SMD = − 0.46; 95% CI = − 0.74, − 0.19; p = 0.001), disability (MD = − 2.84; 95% CI = − 4.23, − 1.45; p < 0.0001), global perceived effect (MD = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.25, 0.72; p < 0.0001) and patient satisfaction (MD = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.38, 0.86; p < 0.00001). However, at short-term follow-up significant differences were only obtained for disability (MD = − 3.52; 95% CI = − 5.85, − 1.20; p = 0.003). VRBR can significantly improve pain intensity, disability, global perceived effect and patient satisfaction. The small number of articles included in the analysis is a limitation, even considering the good methodological quality of these studies. Investigating the effects of VRBR on mid and long-term follow-up and exploring different types of VR are needed.

PROSPERO database, registration number ID: CRD42020222129.

Abstract

Haptic feedback, a natural component of our everyday interactions in the physical world, requires careful design in virtual environments. However, feedback location can vary from the fingertip to the finger, hand, and arm due to heterogeneous input/output technology used for virtual environments, from joysticks to controllers, gloves, armbands, and vests. In this work, we report on the user experience of touch interaction with virtual displays when vibrotactile feedback is delivered on the finger, wrist, and forearm. In a first controlled experiment with fourteen participants and virtual displays rendered through a head-mounted device, we report a user experience characterized by high perceived enjoyment, confidence, efficiency, and integration as well as low perceived distraction, difficulty, and confusion. Moreover, we highlight participants’ preferences for vibrotactile feedback on the finger compared to other locations on the arm or through the VR controller, respectively. In a follow-up experiment with fourteen new participants and physical touchscreens, we report a similar preference for the finger, but also specific nuances of the self-reported experience, not observed in the first experiment with virtual displays. Overall, our results depict an enhanced user experience when distal vibrotactile feedback is available over no vibrations at all during interactions with virtual and physical displays, for which we propose future work opportunities for augmented interactions in virtual worlds.

This study directly compared the novel unexpected vection hypothesis and postural instability-based explanations of cybersickness in virtual reality (VR) using head-mounted displays (HMD) for the first time within a commercial VR game. A total of 40 participants (19 males and 21 females) played an HMD-VR game (Aircar) for up to 14 min, or until their first experience of cybersickness. Based on their self-reports, 24 of these participants were classified as being ‘sick’ during the experiment, with the remainder being classified as ‘well’. Consistent with the unexpected vection hypothesis, we found that: (1) ‘sick’ participants were significantly more likely to report unexpected vection (i.e., an experience of self-motion that was different to what they had been expecting), and (2) sickness severity increased (exponentially) with the strength of any unexpected (but not expected) vection. Our results also supported the predictions of postural instability theory, finding that the onset of cybersickness was typically preceded by an increase in participants’ postural instability. However, when both sway and vection measures were combined, only unexpected vection was found to significantly predict the occurrence of sickness. These findings highlight the importance of unusual vection experiences and postural instability in understanding cybersickness. However, they suggest that developers should be able to make use of expected experiences of vection to safely enhance HMD-VR.

Abstract

Shoes are an important part of the fashion industry, stereotypically affect our self-awareness as well as external perception, and can even biomechanically modify our gait pattern. Immersive Virtual Reality (VR) enables users not only to explore virtual environments, but also to control an avatar as a proxy for themselves. These avatars can wear any kind of shoe which might similarly affect self-awareness due to the Proteus Effect and even cause a bodily affordance to change the gait pattern. Bodily affordance describes a behavioral change in accordance with the expected constraints of the avatar a user is embodied with. In this article, we present the results of three user studies investigating potential changes in the gait pattern evoked by wearing virtual high-heels. Two user studies targeted female participants and one user study focused male participants. The participants wore either virtual sneakers or virtual high-heels while constantly wearing sneakers or socks in reality. To measure the gait pattern, the participants walked on a treadmill that also was added to the virtual environment. We measured significant differences in stride length and in the flexion of the hips and knees at heel strike and partly at toe off. Also, participants reported to walk more comfortably in the virtual sneakers in contrast to the virtual high-heels. This indicates a strong acceptance of the virtual shoes as their real shoes and hence suggests the existence of a bodily affordance. While sparking a discussion about the boundaries as well as aspects of the Proteus Effect and providing another insight into the effects of embodiment in VR, our results might also be important for researchers and developers.

The issue of the metaverse has been widely discussed. The purpose of this research is to investigate users’ willingness to participate in the metaverse. This study used the self-efficacy theory and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) to explore their willingness to attend the metaverse. Furthermore, the study explored how the basic concepts of the metaverse (Avatars, Decentralized Value Exchange, and Immersive Experience) influence the users’ attitudes (Presence in Second-Life, 3D Interactivity, and Play-to-Earn) toward and willingness with respect to participating in the metaverse. A total of 150 valid experts’ responses were collected through an online questionnaire and analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results revealed that Presence in Second-Life and Play-to-Earn significantly impact the respondents’ willingness to participate in the metaverse. Moreover, 3D Interactivity affected their participation to willingness through Presence in Second-Life and Play-to-Earn.

To assess the methods and outcomes of virtual reality (VR), interventions aimed at inducing empathy and to evaluate if VR could be used in this manner for disability support worker (DSW) training, as well as highlight areas for future research. The authors conducted a scoping review of studies that used VR interventions to induce empathy in participants. We searched three databases for articles published between 1960 and 2021 using “virtual reality” and “empathy” as key terms. The search yielded 707 articles, and 44 were reviewed. VR interventions largely resulted in enhanced empathy skills for participants. Most studies agreed that VR’s ability to facilitate perspective-taking was key to inducing empathy for participants. Samples were often limited to the context of healthcare, medicine, and education. This literature provides preliminary evidence for the technology’s efficacy for inducing empathy. Identified research gaps relate to limited studies done, study quality and design, best practice intervention characteristics, populations and outcomes of interest, including lack of transfer and data across real-world settings.

The primary objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a Virtual Reality (VR) intervention when compared to an integrated multimodal medically managed Inpatient Program (IP) in a cohort of 24 female patients diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa (BN). Psychological measures (i.e., EDI-2) were assessed at three points: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and at 1-month follow-up. Behavioral measures (i.e., BMI) were evaluated at 6 different time points, instead (i.e., pre-treatment, post-treatment, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months from the discharge date). The VR treatment was more effective in improving the EDI subscales EDI-DT (i.e., drive for thinness) and EDI-BU (i.e., binging-purging behaviors). In particular, patients in the VR condition showed a reduced EDI-BU score at 1-month follow-up and post-test in comparison to the pre-test, as well as a lower EDI-DT score at 1-month follow-up compared to the pre-test. Conversely, no significant changes were noted in the IP group for either subscale. Regarding the behavioral measures, the group undergoing the VR condition reported the maintenance of the BMI in the long term compared to the IP. Specifically, in the VR group BMI decreased from the pre- to post-test, and from the pre-test to the 12-month follow-up. In the IP group, BMI improved from the pre- to the post-test, and from the pre-test to the 12-month follow-up. However, a relapse pattern was observed in the IP condition during the follow-up period, with a significant BMI increase from the post-test to the 9-month follow-up, from the 3 to the 9-month follow-up, from the 6 to the 9-month follow-up, and a decrease of BMI between the 9 and the 12-month follow-up. In conclusion, these results suggest that integrating VR treatment into the care of individuals with BN could enhance both immediate and sustained treatment outcomes. This may offer valuable insights for future studies to expand and delve deeper into the field of EDs.

Abstract

Enhancing the educational experience through Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) is a promising avenue, elevating the authenticity and responsiveness of simulations. Particularly in educational settings, IVR holds the potential to augment accessibility and engagement in learning. However, one pivotal aspect lies in assessing the learners' acceptance of such environments to ensure optimal and effective utilization of these technologies. This paper delves into the Didascalia Virtual-ClassRoom usability testing —an immersive IVR environment tailored for pre-service secondary school teachers. The platform transports users into a simulated classroom, where they are invited to play the role of a teacher. During the simulation, three scenarios are recreated, reproducing disruptive behaviours commonly faced in real classrooms. 84 participants (28 teachers and 56 pre-service teachers) engaged in decision-making to manage the classroom climate influenced by the simulated situations. To collect data, we used a questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to assess and gauge users' inclinations and attitudes towards embracing the technology in question. To gain deeper insights into the user experience, participants were further invited to participate in semi-structured interviews, offering reflections and suggestions for potential enhancements. The evaluation process encompassed the perceived usefulness of the Didascalia Virtual-ClassRoom, shedding light on factors that could either facilitate or impede the adoption of this platform to enhance classroom management competence. The participants' perspectives serve as a valuable foundation for refining the tool's functionality, and their feedback fuels recommendations for its seamless integration into initial teacher training programs.

Abstract

The previous work on cyberbullying has shown that the number of victims is increasing, and the need for prevention is exceptionally high among younger school students (5th–9th grade). Due to the omnipresence of cyberattacks, victims can hardly distance themselves psychologically, thus experience an intrusion in almost all areas of life. The perpetrators, on the other hand, feel the consequences of their actions even less in cyberspace. However, there is a gap between the need and the existence of innovative prevention programs tied to the digital reality of the target group and the treatment of essential aspects of psychological distance. This article explores the design space, feasibility, and effectiveness of a unique VR-based cyberbullying prevention component in a human-centered iterative approach. The central idea is reflected in creating a virtual personal space invasion with virtual objects associated with cyberbullying making the everyday intrusion of victims tangible. A pre-study revealed that harmful speech texts in bright non-removable message boxes best transferred the psychological determinants associated with a personal space invasion to virtual objects contextualized in cyberbullying scenarios. Therefore, these objects were incorporated into a virtual prevention program that was then tested in a laboratory study with 41 participants. The results showed that the intervention could trigger cognitive dissonance and empathy. In the second step, the intervention was evaluated and improved in a focus group with the actual target group of children and adolescents. The improved application was then evaluated in a school workshop for 5 days with 100 children and adolescents. The children understood the metaphor of virtual space invasion by the harmful text boxes and reported the expected psychological effects. They also showed great interest in VR. In summary, this paper contributes to the innovative and effective prevention of cyberbullying by using the potential of VR. It provides empirical evidence from a laboratory experiment and a field study with a large sample from the target group of children and adolescents and discusses implications for future developments.