Too Real to Be Virtual: Autonomic and EEG Responses to Extreme Stress Scenarios in Virtual Reality

Fadeev, Kirill; Smirnov, Alexey S.; Zhigalova, Olga; Bazhina, P S; Tumyalis, Alexey; Golokhvast, Kirill S.

doi:10.1155/2020/5758038

Cited by 37 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 43 publications

(72 reference statements)

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“…Such inconsistency in the relationship between task complexity and beta-band power has not even been discussed in the VRE. Recently, researchers have successfully applied EEG systems together with consumer-level VR HMDs [43,44]. For example, Dey and colleagues employed a 32-channel portable EEG system with the HTC VIVE VR headset to generate an adaptive VR training system by collecting alpha-band activities in realtime [44].…”

Section: Task Complexity and Electroencephalographymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, researchers have successfully applied EEG systems together with consumer-level VR HMDs [43,44]. For example, Dey and colleagues employed a 32-channel portable EEG system with the HTC VIVE VR headset to generate an adaptive VR training system by collecting alpha-band activities in realtime [44]. Taking advantage of recent technological advancements in EEG devices that are portable and provide data in real-time [45,46], our second research question was to determine whether brain signals indicate task complexity in the VRE.…”

Section: Task Complexity and Electroencephalographymentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of Task Complexity on Time Estimation in the Virtual Reality Environment: An EEG Study

Kim

2021

Applied Sciences

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This paper investigated the effect of task complexity on time estimation in the virtual reality environment (VRE) using behavioral, subjective, and physiological measurements. Virtual reality (VR) is not a perfect copy of the real world, and individuals perceive time duration differently in the VRE than they do in reality. Though many researchers have found a connection between task complexity and time estimation under non-VR conditions, the influence of task complexity on time estimation in the VRE is yet unknown. In this study, twenty-nine participants performed a VR jigsaw puzzle task at two levels of task complexity. We observed that as task complexity increased, participants showed larger time estimation errors, reduced relative beta-band power at Fz and Pz, and higher NASA-Task Load Index scores. Our findings indicate the importance of controlling task complexity in the VRE and demonstrate the potential of using electroencephalography (EEG) as real-time indicators of complexity level.

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Section: Task Complexity and Electroencephalographymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Task Complexity and Electroencephalographymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Task Complexity on Time Estimation in the Virtual Reality Environment: An EEG Study

Kim

2021

Applied Sciences

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“…With the increase level of realism in a stressful VR environment, precaution must be taken to ensure extreme stress is not induced during the VR experience. Fadeev et al reported that VR with extreme stress scenarios can elicit autonomic and EEG responses due to high emotional stress [ 21 ]. Saghafian et al also suggested the need to measure realism with emotions within a stressful VR experience [ 38 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been used in various settings such as healthcare [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], oil production [ 13 , 14 ], workplace [ 15 ] and education [ 16 ]. With the integration of EEG, researchers have studied various brain functions such as attention [ 17 , 18 ], cognitive load [ 19 , 20 ], motor intention and planning [ 11 ], emotional processing [ 21 , 22 ], sense of immersion [ 23 , 24 ], engagement [ 25 ] and relaxation [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Although VR has been used with the EEG for meditation and mind therapy purposes, it has not been used as an integrated system to monitor mental health in workplaces.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace Mental State Monitoring during VR-Based Training for Offshore Environment

Hasan

Sulaiman

Ashykin

et al. 2021

Sensors

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Adults are constantly exposed to stressful conditions at their workplace, and this can lead to decreased job performance followed by detrimental clinical health problems. Advancement of sensor technologies has allowed the electroencephalography (EEG) devices to be portable and used in real-time to monitor mental health. However, real-time monitoring is not often practical in workplace environments with complex operations such as kindergarten, firefighting and offshore facilities. Integrating the EEG with virtual reality (VR) that emulates workplace conditions can be a tool to assess and monitor mental health of adults within their working environment. This paper evaluates the mental states induced when performing a stressful task in a VR-based offshore environment. The theta, alpha and beta frequency bands are analysed to assess changes in mental states due to physical discomfort, stress and concentration. During the VR trials, mental states of discomfort and disorientation are observed with the drop of theta activity, whilst the stress induced from the conditional tasks is reflected in the changes of low-alpha and high-beta activities. The deflection of frontal alpha asymmetry from negative to positive direction reflects the learning effects from emotion-focus to problem-solving strategies adopted to accomplish the VR task. This study highlights the need for an integrated VR-EEG system in workplace settings as a tool to monitor and assess mental health of working adults.

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“…VR immersion, especially containing stressful content, can evoke acute stress reactions accompanied by autonomic dysfunction [ 38 ]. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a sensitive indicator of cardiac autonomic modulation [ 39 ] and responds to any psychophysical changes immediately.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a 360° Virtual Reality or 2D Video to Learn History Taking and Physical Examination Skills for Undergraduate Medical Students: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Chao¹,

Chuang²,

Hsin³

et al. 2021

JMIR Serious Games

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Background Learning through a 360° virtual reality (VR) or 2D video represents an alternative way to learn a complex medical education task. However, there is currently no consensus on how best to assess the effects of different learning materials on cognitive load estimates, heart rate variability (HRV), outcomes, and experience in learning history taking and physical examination (H&P) skills. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate how learning materials (ie, VR or 2D video) impact learning outcomes and experience through changes in cognitive load estimates and HRV for learning H&P skills. Methods This pilot system–design study included 32 undergraduate medical students at an academic teaching hospital. The students were randomly assigned, with a 1:1 allocation, to a 360° VR video group or a 2D video group, matched by age, sex, and cognitive style. The contents of both videos were different with regard to visual angle and self-determination. Learning outcomes were evaluated using the Milestone reporting form. Subjective and objective cognitive loads were estimated using the Paas Cognitive Load Scale, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index, and secondary-task reaction time. Cardiac autonomic function was assessed using HRV measurements. Learning experience was assessed using the AttrakDiff2 questionnaire and qualitative feedback. Statistical significance was accepted at a two-sided P value of <.01. Results All 32 participants received the intended intervention. The sample consisted of 20 (63%) males and 12 (38%) females, with a median age of 24 (IQR 23-25) years. The 360° VR video group seemed to have a higher Milestone level than the 2D video group (P=.04). The reaction time at the 10th minute in the 360° VR video group was significantly higher than that in the 2D video group (P<.001). Multiple logistic regression models of the overall cohort showed that the 360° VR video module was independently and positively associated with a reaction time at the 10th minute of ≥3.6 seconds (exp B=18.8, 95% CI 3.2-110.8; P=.001) and a Milestone level of ≥3 (exp B=15.0, 95% CI 2.3-99.6; P=.005). However, a reaction time at the 10th minute of ≥3.6 seconds was not related to a Milestone level of ≥3. A low-frequency to high-frequency ratio between the 5th and 10th minute of ≥1.43 seemed to be inversely associated with a hedonic stimulation score of ≥2.0 (exp B=0.14, 95% CI 0.03-0.68; P=.015) after adjusting for video module. The main qualitative feedback indicated that the 360° VR video module was fun but caused mild dizziness, whereas the 2D video module was easy to follow but tedious. Conclusions Our preliminary results showed that 360° VR video learning may be associated with a better Milestone level than 2D video learning, and that this did not seem to be related to cognitive load estimates or HRV indexes in the novice learners. Of note, an increase in sympathovagal balance may have been associated with a lower hedonic stimulation score, which may have met the learners’ needs and prompted learning through the different video modules. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03501641; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03501641

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Too Real to Be Virtual: Autonomic and EEG Responses to Extreme Stress Scenarios in Virtual Reality

Cited by 37 publications

References 43 publications

The Effect of Task Complexity on Time Estimation in the Virtual Reality Environment: An EEG Study

The Effect of Task Complexity on Time Estimation in the Virtual Reality Environment: An EEG Study

Workplace Mental State Monitoring during VR-Based Training for Offshore Environment

Using a 360° Virtual Reality or 2D Video to Learn History Taking and Physical Examination Skills for Undergraduate Medical Students: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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