The XR Research Digest

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Brain activity and flow during VR surgical training: Twenty urological surgeons performed robotic surgery tasks whilst EEG was monitored. High performers exhibited significantly higher theta activity, suggesting neurofeedback could enhance performance. doi.org/10.1038/s415...

What happens in the brain when embodiment in VR breaks? New research looking at EEG recordings found that increasing avatar lag shifted brain activity from areas associated with motor preparation to those associated with cognitive processing. doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...

The importance of audio for 360 videos outside of VR: new research had participants watch 360° videos on flat screens with different audio conditions. Significantly, immersive audio increased concentration and engagement more than other conditions. doi.org/10.3389/frvi...

Does VR golf measure real golf ability? 65 participants (golfers and non-golfers) completed a 12-hole VR test. Golfers performed significantly better than non-golfers, supporting broad construct validity, but current handicap didn't predict VR performance doi.org/10.1007/s100...

Will real audience members matter in VR concerts? New research had participants experience concerts with varying proportions of user-controlled vs scripted avatars. Presence and synchronisation was highest in conditions with more user-controlled avatars. doi.org/10.3389/frvi...

Mini-maps in VR: new research comparing VR navigation with and without mini-maps has found whilst maps enhance navigation they also worsen cybersickness, especially for users with lower spatial ability. doi.org/10.1080/1044...

Desktop versus VR for collaborative sensemaking? Groups of four participants created mind maps using both VR and desktop systems. Users in VR engaged more in problem-solving, whilst desktop users focused more on organisation. doi.org/10.3389/frvi...

How can VR change climate related food choices in adolescents? A field experiment across nine high schools has suggested that VR can help change attitudes and behaviour through tangibility, leading to psychological proximity which then encourages change. doi.org/10.1080/1752...

On the day that Google Gemini decided this is the very definition of XR Digest... Edition 32 is on its way. buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...

Does the peak-end rule apply to body ownership in VR? Three studies manipulated visuomotor asynchrony timing during avatar embodiment. Late asynchrony decreased body-ownership judgements more than early asynchrony, supporting an end effect. doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...

Self-dialogue in VR: does avatar age matter? New research had young women alternate between 'self' and 'other' avatars discussing stressful problems. Age-incongruent mature avatars led to higher perceived change importance, but only in the short-term. doi.org/10.1038/s415...

If you can't stand, then swivel! New VR research tracked eye, head, and torso movement in 360° scenes whilst standing, sitting, or sitting in a swivel chair. Standing led to greatest coverage, as expected, but swivelling still approximated standing. doi.org/10.1371/jour...

A metaverse for good? Eighteen academics across 16 institutions have summarised the technical foundations and societal impacts of the metaverse, suggesting whilst potentially transformative, ethical and regulatory frameworks are essential. doi.org/10.3389/frvi...

🤖 Computer says...yes. The latest XR Research Roundup is on the way to inboxes, and available here: buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...

Is VR always better than 2D videos (for exposure therapy)? A new randomised controlled trial compared VR with 2D video exposure therapy for fear of flying over 24 months. Both significantly reduced fear (p < .01), but VR showed no superiority on the chosen outcome measures. doi.org/10.1016/j.ps...

Can VR improve chemometric analysis? Researchers have used VR to visualise samples as 3D glyphs based on hundreds of similarity measurements. Human analysis of spectral data in VR safeguarded against the limitations of algorithms in detecting outliers. doi.org/10.1002/cem....

Feeling nostalgic? Introducing virtual-reality induced nostalgia! Two experiments compared VR with traditional reflection tasks across five time points. It was found that VR could produce significantly stronger and more durable nostalgic feelings. doi.org/10.3758/s134...

Unveiling extended reality: which industries lead XR adoption? New systematic review analysed 155 peer-reviewed studies from 2013–2023 using PRISMA guidelines. Healthcare, education, and manufacturing led adoption, with data visualisation and training emerging. doi.org/10.1080/0953...

How is it going? New research has explored the use of Social VR for student counselling. Qualitative findings indicate that students preferred VR over video conferencing for the feeling of presence, but counsellors missed eye contact. doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...

Please let me think! New research explores the use of conversational fillers with VR-based genAI to disguise latency issues. Verbal and non-verbal fillers were tested, with verbal fillers shortening perceived waiting times most effectively. doi.org/10.1145/3716...

Does avatar appearance and facial expression affect VR interaction? Participants communicated with a female avatar across three stylisation levels and expression intensities. Cartoonish/stylised avatars generated greater co-presence and trustworthiness. doi.org/10.1007/s100...

30 in and still going (just about). The 30th XR Research Roundup is on its way to inboxes right now...💫 buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...

Locability: what is the best mechanism for locomotion in VR? Researchers have used data from 20 participants, with and without mobility issues, to develop a model that reliably predicts users' fastest techniques based on their ability (preprint). doi.org/10.48550/arX...

Return of the virtual nose! Does a virtual nose in VR affect presence or odour perception? New research tested 22 participants in mixed reality. No effects were found adding to the growing evidence that virtual noses (sadly) do nothing. www.researchgate.net/profile/Mart...

Can VR field trips enhance STEM learning? New qualitative data explores the experiences of 30 high school students across four lessons, suggesting VR impacted emotions and intrinsic motivation, but not longer-term attitudes and beliefs. doi.org/10.3389/frvi...

Do head-mounted displays always enhance immersion? Researchers tested 126 participants and found opposing effects: HMDs increased telepresence and interaction but also cybersickness and discomfort, suggesting these effects counterbalance each other. doi.org/10.17705/1th...

Does VR enhance advertising engagement? Five studies examined 360° video with varied product types. VR's immersive nature offset engagement declines from incongruent product typologies, traditionally seen in 2D displays. doi.org/10.1002/mar....

What is the best way to make educational VR adaptive? New research integrated adaptive AI in a Java programming VR game whilst also using Flow Theory and gamification. Results showed significant improvements in task performance and reduced errors. doi.org/10.1186/s405...

Does physical walking always reduce VR sickness? New research tests walking effects on visual motion unrelated to the walking itself. Physical walking actually increased VR sickness, possibly due to heightened sensitivity to sensory information. doi.org/10.1080/1044...

Can VR-induced hypnosis reduce dental anxiety in children? In a single case study, researchers report on an 11-year-old's tooth extraction whilst using HypnoVR. Measurements of brain activity confirmed the hypnotic state before surgery took place. doi.org/10.1186/s129...

What happens when users leave VR? New research examines lingering side-effects from hand retargeting and spatial mismatches. After returning to reality, participants' hands remained redirected by up to 7cm and confused virtual locations with real ones. doi.org/10.1145/3746...

Having near‑death experiences in VR might help reduce death anxiety! New research found that completing a VR NDE led to self-reported death anxiety and stress falling across pre- and post-measures (but there was no control group involved). doi.org/10.3389/frvi...

Can AR improve home yoga practice? Researchers compared 3D life-sized AR yoga instructors with traditional 2D video lessons. AR showed significantly higher empathy, engagement, technology acceptance, and intrinsic motivation scores. doi.org/10.1007/s100...

Can VR mindfulness improve health? New research has replicated the effects of using Flowborne for six days showing improved breathing patterns and reduced burnout up to one month later. doi.org/10.1007/s100...

Can VR enhance trauma treatment? Researchers compared VR versus mobile app interventions for COVID-19 PTSD. VR showed greater symptom reductions and improved post-traumatic growth. doi.org/10.1007/s100...

How do forests affect well-being? Using VR forest environments, researchers found greenness indices, seasonality, and brightness significantly influenced psychological restoration scores. doi.org/10.1016/j.tf...

Can VR illusions affect our physiology? Researchers shifted participants' perceived body midline by replacing their right hand with a virtual left hand. This caused significant left-hand temperature decreases and altered skin conductance responses. doi.org/10.1016/j.co...

Can VR foster empathy towards individuals with schizophrenia? Researchers compared desktop versus VR psychosis simulations. VR users showed enhanced empathic concern, cognitive empathy, and affective empathy. doi.org/10.1080/1044...

Virtual companionship when using VR for pain management: new research suggests social contact increases pain tolerance, when using VR, regardless of whether the companion is known to you or a virtual stranger. doi.org/10.1093/pm/p...

Can VR improve adaptive skills in high‑functioning autistic youth? New research suggests repeated VR training may lead to higher task success, quicker completion times and better parent‑rated behaviours (n=33). doi.org/10.3389/fpsy...

Can VR improve awake brain surgery? New proof‑of‑concept research used a VR headset for intra‑operative monitoring in orthopaedic operations. High tolerance and acceptance were reported. doi.org/10.1371/jour...

Can eye‑gaze alone reveal identity in Social VR? New research found convolutional neutral networks could identify 95.5% users from their gaze data during a virtual conversation. doi.org/10.1007/s100...

How do familiarity and knowledge affect virtual agent interactions? New research tested users with familiar professor replicas versus unknown agents in VR, finding familiarity shaped perceived expertise while knowledge levels influenced trust. doi.org/10.1145/3757...

New open-access VR environment launched for criminology research. The virtual burglary project enables controlled experiments on crime-related behaviour and decision-making. doi.org/10.1007/s112...

Can VR detect subtle executive dysfunction missed by standard tests in MS patients? New research using virtual supermarket tasks found VR identified impairments during initial testing that traditional assessments missed. doi.org/10.1016/j.ne...

Do nature backgrounds boost digital meditation benefits? New research tested classroom versus nature settings on VR and computers (n=202), finding nature enhanced mood and well-being regardless of device type. doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...

Rock on! Can VR create the feeling of being Mark Knopfler? New research embodied participants as the lead singer of Dire Straits. Those with synchronous body movements, compared to asynchronous, showed stronger ownership and displayed more rock star behaviours on stage. doi.org/10.1016/j.co...

Can VR help people confront their inner critic? New research tested a VR schema therapy exercise where students faced avatars expressing their self-criticism, finding immediate reductions in self-criticism and increased self-compassion (paywall). doi.org/10.1016/j.jb...

Can VR reminiscence therapy reduce dementia symptoms and caregiver burden? New research tested immersive 360° VR sessions in Taiwanese day care centres, finding sustained symptom improvements lasting 2 months but no long-term effect on caregiver burden. doi.org/10.2196/73044

Can AI/VR virtual patients match real life simulated patients in nursing education? Research with undergraduate nursing students suggests AI-VR offers judgment-free practice while simulated patients excel in emotional engagement and realism. doi.org/10.1016/j.ec...