Articles tagged with Virtual Reality
A new study suggests that virtual reality therapy may help people with alcohol dependence reduce their craving for alcohol. The therapy involves exposing patients to situations that trigger fear and anxiety, then teaching them to manage those situations in real life.
A clinical pilot study found that using virtual reality to enhance movement and increase confidence in the affected limb significantly improves spontaneous use of the paralyzed arm. This suggests an alternative focus on increasing patient confidence may be critical for full recovery.
Researchers developed a centimeter-accurate GPS-based positioning system that could revolutionize virtual reality and mobile devices. The system, called GRID, can extract precise measurements from low-cost antennas, making it economically feasible for mobile devices.
A new reality substitution prototype unveiled at The Brain Forum 2015 aims to revolutionize virtual reality production and experience. By capturing real-world situations and playing them back in head-mounted displays, the system enables users to immerse themselves in authentic environments with real cognitive implications.
Scientists developed a mathematical law for pedestrian interactions based on time until collision, revealing consistent patterns in crowd behavior. The model can be used to predict potential dangers in sporting events and festivals, as well as improve public space design.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience found that the hippocampus, a region involved in spatial learning and memory, reacts differently to virtual reality than it does to real-world environments. In the virtual world, hippocampal neurons fire randomly, whereas in the real world, they process activity with precision.
Researchers have developed a new method using virtual reality to improve self-compassion in individuals, particularly those with high levels of self-criticism. The study found that women who experienced a first-person perspective through the eyes of a virtual child showed increased feelings of contentment and reduced self-criticism.
Researchers at the University of Montreal are exploring virtual reality as a tool to better gauge sex offenders' reactions and assess therapeutic progress. By testing virtual reality protocols, they aim to validate theories explaining why offenders act on their impulses.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that activity in dendrites is crucial for storing memories, contradicting current thought that cell body and dendrites serve the same function. The study used high-resolution microscopy to image individual neurons in a living animal navigating a virtual reality maze.
Dartmouth researchers are developing a virtual reality-based relaxation system to help astronauts cope with stress on long-duration spaceflights. The Virtual Space Station program uses virtual reality, sounds, and smells to create immersive experiences that promote relaxation and calmness.
Virtual reality interface devices reorganize brain neural networks in patients with chronic stroke and cerebral palsy, improving hand function and balance. This application enhances the quality of life for individuals with neurological diseases.
A team of researchers at Brown University developed a wireless virtual reality system to study how pedestrians interact with each other and how their individual behaviors generate patterns of crowd movement. The system, which allows for the creation of virtual crowds, has shown that people tend to match the speed and direction of their...
A team of researchers used virtual reality to conduct experiments on moral dilemmas, finding that subjects were more likely to choose a utilitarian approach when faced with immediate consequences, rather than adhering to deontological principles.
Researchers found that adding dance exercises to a physiotherapy program improved urine leakage, increased participation rates, and provided more functional pelvic floor muscle exercises. The study opens the door to a randomized clinical trial for treating urinary incontinence with virtual reality and dance.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that Kinect-based virtual reality training can improve upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients. The training also promotes brain reorganization, specifically targeting the contralateral sensorimotor cortex.
A small study presented at American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013 found that virtual reality hands controlled by stroke survivors' thoughts can help them recover use of their arms and hands. Patients achieved 81% accuracy in using the virtual hands to reach out, improving skills in just three experimental sessions.
Denise Krch, PhD, of Kessler Foundation has been awarded a $600,000 NIDRR grant to develop a virtual reality program that targets executive functioning impairments in individuals with TBI. The project aims to improve problem-solving, mental flexibility, and divided attention in those with moderate to severe impairment.
A Kessler Foundation researcher has reported pilot results from a virtual reality executive function task, distinguishing between participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) and healthy controls. The study assessed executive functions such as planning and problem-solving in a virtual office setting.
A new pilot study found that watching an avatar model healthy weight loss behaviors could lead to significant weight loss for overweight women. After four weeks of treatment, the women in the study lost an average of 3.5 pounds.
The John Templeton Foundation has awarded UC Riverside an additional $100,000 to support graduate students researching issues related to immortality. The funding will provide four graduate fellowships and a weeklong workshop for young scholars.
The Immortality Project at UC Riverside has awarded $2.3 million to 10 research teams studying near-death experiences, virtual reality immortality, and the genetics of a species of freshwater hydra that never ages. The projects aim to advance knowledge on human longevity, near-death experiences, and the nature of personhood.
Researchers found that participants who customized their avatars with a backpack overestimated the height and difficulty of virtual hills, while those without a backpack had more accurate perceptions. The study suggests that designing realistic avatars can improve the immersion and effectiveness of virtual reality exercises.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that virtual reality weight loss programs can be an effective alternative to traditional face-to-face programs, with better maintenance rates. Researchers used Second Life, a web-based virtual reality environment, to deliver weight management education and t...
A study published in PLOS ONE found that playing virtual reality games with superpowers increases helpful behavior in the real world. Participants who played as superheroes were more likely to help others after the game compared to those who passedively completed tasks.
The use of virtual reality (VR) and robotic technologies is expanding in neurosurgery, providing opportunities for training, planning, and performance. However, significant technical and economic challenges must be overcome before these technologies become widely used.
Using cutting-edge virtual reality technology, researchers have successfully beamed a person into a rat facility, allowing the rat and human to interact on the same scale. The technology enables real-time interaction between humans and animals, providing new insights into animal behavior.
Researchers have created virtual humans that can mimic symptoms of psychological disorders, allowing for realistic interactions with therapists. The technology is being developed to improve clinical training and provide a safe and effective environment for novice clinicians to gain exposure to various clinical conditions.
Researchers found that successful communication in virtual environments requires nonverbal feedback from listening partners, with dynamic avatars improving performance. The study's findings have implications for fields like medical training, urban planning, entertainment, and telecommunication.
Early results suggest that virtual reality (VR) human-computer interfaces can improve arm function and daily activities in adult stroke patients compared to traditional therapy. VR training has been found to have positive effects on these outcomes, but more data is needed to assess the long-lasting benefits of this approach.
A pilot project assesses the feasibility of virtual reality to treat alcohol abuse in veterans, targeting those with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress syndrome. The eight-week study uses augmented relapse prevention therapy sessions, where participants practice coping skills in simulated bar settings or home environments.
Researchers found that virtual reality (VR) and physical reality exercises can increase movement speeds in PD patients, especially when moving targets are provided. The study shows promising results for VR as a tool to improve movement in persons with PD, similar to the benefits of physical reality cues.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are developing a touch-sensitive virtual reality simulator for next-generation natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The simulator aims to accelerate the development of scarless procedures, which show promise for reducing pain and post-operative complications.
A new virtual reality application delivers exposure therapy for PTSD by immersing soldiers in simulated trauma-relevant environments. The system has shown encouraging clinical results, with 80% of patients experiencing clinically meaningful reductions in PTSD symptoms.
A study published in Archives of Surgery found that excessive alcohol consumption the previous day can affect surgical skills performed on a virtual reality simulator. The researchers discovered persistent detrimental performance effects, highlighting the importance of abstinence for practicing surgeons.
A new therapy program using virtual reality and scents like smoke and spices helps servicemen recover from wartime experiences. Researchers seek to reduce flashbacks and anxiety in veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Researchers propose an image-based modeling method to reconstruct inhomogeneous single-scattering participating media with high-frequency details, reducing complexity compared to traditional methods. The approach uses volumetric data and optical properties to describe density distribution and preserves fine details.
A team of researchers led by Rensselaer Professor Suvranu De has won a $2.3 million federal grant to develop a touch-sensitive virtual reality simulator for training and certifying laparoscopic surgeons. The new system will employ haptic technology to realistically replicate the sensation a surgeon would feel during an actual procedure.
A new study demonstrates that a first-person perspective of a life-sized virtual human female body can generate a body transfer illusion, where subjects experience ownership of the virtual body. This finding contradicts previous research assuming visuotactile synchrony as the critical factor in ownership illusions.
A study found that virtual reality gaming using the Wii system improves motor function in stroke patients, with significant speed and grip strength gains. The Wii technology activated mirror neurons involved in brain plasticity, enabling effective rehabilitation.
Outfielders may not predict a ball's landing point based on its flight path, but instead track the ball's motion to catch it. The study found that outfielders adjust their movements depending on the ball's elevation angle and bearing.
A study published in CyberPsychology and Behavior found that smokers who crushed virtual cigarettes in a virtual reality environment had significantly reduced nicotine dependence and higher rates of tobacco abstinence compared to those who grasped virtual balls. The treatment group stayed in the program longer, with higher rates of smo...
Scientists have developed a new virtual reality headset that can stimulate all five senses, including sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. The 'Virtual Cocoon' aims to provide fully immersive perceptual experiences with optimal sensory interaction.
Researchers developed a computer system architecture that can recognize human gestures, enabling people with physical disabilities to interact with computers. The system uses datagloves with illuminated LEDs tracked by webcams to monitor hand or shoulder movements.
Researchers are exploring alternative energy solutions and innovative approaches to medicine. Virtual reality technology is being used to create realistic 3D presentations on mobile devices, while a new method for measuring brain function during surgery could improve outcomes.
Research using virtual reality found that nearly 40% of participants experienced paranoid thoughts, with anxiety and depression also prevalent. The study suggests that paranoia is more common than thought and can be triggered by social interactions.
Brown University researchers found that subjects who had access to optic flow adapted faster and made it to virtual targets more easily than those without. The study suggests that optic flow plays a crucial role in navigating through environments.
Researchers used VR goggles to induce out-of-body-like experiences in healthy people, suggesting a disconnect between brain circuits that process sensory information may be responsible. The findings help solve the question of how we perceive our own bodies and may have implications for training people to perform delicate tasks remotely.
Researchers used virtual reality to manipulate bodily self-consciousness, demonstrating that spatial unity and bodily self-awareness depend on brain mechanisms. The study indicates that humans' sense of the embodied self relies on brain activity at the temporo-parietal junction.
C6 is a 10-foot by 10-foot virtual reality cube that immerses users in computer-generated 3-D images and eight channels of audio. The upgraded room now projects more than twice the resolution produced by any other VR room, with 100 million pixels.
A modified home video game system has been developed to aid stroke patients in performing hand exercises, utilizing virtual reality and traditional therapy techniques. The system, costing less than $600, promotes engaging patients and provides immediate feedback on performance.
Researchers found that goalkeepers are unable to accurately predict the trajectory of a spinning football, relying on the ball's current heading direction. The study suggests that inherent limitations in the human visual system hinder this ability.
A Case School of Engineering professor is using virtual reality to train brain and heart surgeons, reducing learning time and allowing independent practice. He aims to expand minimally invasive techniques to complex surgeries, virtually eliminating the need for heart/lung machines.
Researchers developed a virtual reality system using 3D echocardiography to analyze heart defects. Ten heart specialists successfully diagnosed healthy and unhealthy hearts within minutes, showcasing the technology's potential for better understanding cardiac anatomy.
The Marine Corps has created a dedicated virtual-reality training system for its assault amphibian vehicles, allowing for increased training capabilities due to range and ammunition supply constraints. The Virtual Environment Assault Amphibian Vehicle (VEAAV) training system was developed by a Navy-Marine Corps team in just six months.
Researchers are investigating virtual reality therapy as a potential treatment for acute post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active-duty military members. The therapy aims to provide innovative tools and techniques for early intervention and treatment of PTSD symptoms, including those related to combat.
A virtual reality game has been found to significantly reduce pain responses in children with severe burns, with all but one child showing a decrease of at least 2 points on the Faces Scale. The game was more effective than analgesics alone in reducing pain and anxiety.
Researchers found that virtual reality significantly reduces pain-related brain activity, with drops of up to 97%. The study used specialized magnetic resonance imaging to track brain activity and showed a significant change in conscious perception of pain when virtual reality was used.
The Virtual Haptic Back system uses a sophisticated haptic interface to simulate the sensation of touching a human back. Medical students can practice palpation skills on simulated backs, improving their ability to diagnose dysfunctions and address two major challenges in osteopathic doctor training.
Researchers found that simulated games in virtual reality boosted children's belief in their abilities, regardless of their physical limitations. The therapy also gave them a chance to succeed in types of play they might have difficulty accessing otherwise.
The Keck Center for Active Visualization in Earth Sciences will enable geologists to build and test large-scale models of the Earth's interior. The facility will allow researchers to interact with their data in a more realistic way, using virtual reality tools developed by UC Davis researchers.