A Comparison of Immersive vs. Non-Immersive Virtual Reality Exercises for the Upper Limb: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Pilot Study with Healthy Participants

Abstract

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) allows for a reliable assessment of oxygenated blood flow in relevant brain regions. Recent advancements in immersive virtual reality (VR)-based technology have generated many new possibilities for its application, such as in stroke rehabilitation. In this study, we asked whether there is a difference in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) within brain motor areas during hand/arm movements between immersive and non-immersive VR settings. Ten healthy young participants (24.3 ± 3.7, three females) were tested using a specially developed VR paradigm, called “bus riding”, whereby participants used their hand to steer a moving bus. Both immersive and non-immersive conditions stimulated brain regions controlling hand movements, namely motor cortex, but no significant differences in HbO2 could be found between the two conditions in any of the relevant brain regions. These results are to be interpreted with caution, as only ten participants were included in the study.

Biosensor-Integrated Virtual Reality (VR) System Assisted CBT and the Alteration of Delusional Perceptions in Psychosis

“…Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive optical technique that can measure oxygen levels in the cortex of the brain. This can provide information about cortical activation during VR therapy [31]. Electromyography (EMG) measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to nerve stimulation of the muscle.…”

Study of the Possibility of Using Virtual Reality Application in Rehabilitation among Elderly Post-Stroke Patients

“…A comparison of studies using non-immersive VR for rehabilitation [13,26,27] versus studies using immersive VR [28][29][30] shows that with immersive VR, the patient experiences a more realistic experience due to being fully immersed in this environment. The findings suggest that some problems such as technical limitations of the device can be solved by using immersive VR and that it is more effective to use immersive VR, as it affects the patient's involvement in the therapy, which can enhance the effects of motor training [29,31].…”

Immersive Virtual Reality Application for Rehabilitation in Unilateral Spatial Neglect: A Promising New Frontier in Post-Stroke Rehabilitation

“…Later, VR appeared in applications aimed at adults. VR applications have been used in the treatment/rehabilitation of orthopedic conditions (such as ankle sprains and shoulder pain and impingement) [19], neurological rehabilitation [20], the general rehabilitation of the upper body, particularly the upper extremities [21,22], Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and eating disorders [23]. Many studies show the effectiveness of VR in neurological rehabilitation [24][25][26][27], including post-stroke rehabilitation [15,26,28].…”

“…Many more studies on the use of non-immersive VR have been described in the literature [22,23,30,[33][34][35]. The reason is that the availability of VR devices that allow deep immersion has been significantly reduced in previous years.…”

“…Thus, the advantages of using immersive VR over non-immersive VR is more realistic and fully immersive experiences, which can lead to a greater sense of presence and engagement. In addition, immersive VR can also be a more effective tool for learning and training, as it allows users to experience and interact with a simulated environment in a more realistic and engaging way [22].…”