Articles tagged with Virtual Reality
A study published in Cell Reports found that training participants to use their non-dominant hand by tricking their brain through virtual reality showed significant improvements in motor skills. The researchers used fMRI scans to track brain activity, which was correlated with improved performance.
University of Washington researchers demonstrate humans playing a simple two-dimensional computer game using only input from direct brain stimulation. The subjects navigated mazes with improved accuracy when receiving guidance via phosphene stimulation, suggesting potential for encoding novel information into the human brain.
A UTSA professor has developed an underwater virtual reality game that helps relieve symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The 'Shark Punch' game uses smart phones and dive masks to create a immersive experience, while also providing a form of aquatic therapy.
Researchers in Brazil have created 3-D virtual reality models of unborn babies using fetal MRI results. The technology allows doctors to visualize the fetus's internal structure, including the respiratory tract, which can aid in assessing abnormalities.
Disney Research has developed a VR360 player with enhanced haptic feedback, allowing users to customize and personalize sensations. The application enables full-body sensations and a wide range of 'feel effects' that can be triggered by user movements or biofeedback.
A University of Montreal professor studied reactions to virtual reality and an immersive projection system, finding that viewers preferred the shared experience without headsets.
Researchers found that combining virtual reality with treadmill training reduced fall frequency and risk for at least six months after training. The intervention improved both physical mobility and cognitive aspects of safe walking.
The conference will showcase the latest developments and studies on augmented and virtual reality, enabling trainees to learn on-the-job skills and enhancing the workplace of the future. Researchers will present prototypes, including a product from Virtalis that allows interactive discussion and modification of 3D constructions.
Combining virtual reality and treadmill training reduces fall rates in older adults, with a 42% decrease in the virtual reality plus treadmill group compared to treadmill training alone. This intervention has potential as part of prevention packages for falls risk before injuries occur.
A new study found that simple activities such as playing cards or throwing a foam ball can help patients regain strength and coordination after a stroke. The study showed improvements in motor performance of up to 40% with these activities compared to virtual reality games.
A Dartmouth team has developed a system that uses LED panels and only 20 light sensors to reconstruct a user's 3D skeleton in real-time. The new StarLight system has practical applications in virtual reality, non-invasive health monitoring, and passive behavioral monitoring.
Researchers developed approach dynamically changing user's field of view in response to visually perceived motion to reduce VR sickness. The study showed significant reduction in VR sickness experienced by participants without decreasing their sense of presence in the virtual environment.
A study by Stanford-Dartmouth researchers explores how novel optical configurations can enhance user experience and performance in virtual reality. They found that adaptive focus cues using a prototype system improved user preferences and accuracy.
A new study from UCL and ICREA-University of Barcelona found that immersive virtual reality therapy can reduce depressive symptoms in patients. The therapy involved wearing a virtual reality headset and expressing compassion towards a distressed virtual child, resulting in a significant drop in depression severity for some participants.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison discovered that people with excellent 3D vision are more susceptible to motion sickness while using virtual reality displays. The study found that these individuals are also better at judging the direction of moving objects, which may contribute to their discomfort.
Researchers use virtual reality to investigate how people adapt their speech in conversation, finding that language behavior is identical to dialogue with a human partner.
Researchers used immersive virtual reality to explore the effect of embodiment on thought processes. The results show that embodying a trusted authority figure, such as Sigmund Freud, leads to more effective self-advice and improved problem-solving skills.
The University of Maryland has established two new endowed chairs in mathematics and computer science, thanks to a $2.1 million funding match from the state's Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative. The Michael and Eugenia Brin Chair in Mathematics and the Reginald Allan Hahne Chair in Computer Science will be recruited through this program.
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.