Virtual Reality:Potential & Possibility

Jacalyn Huband, Ph.D.

Stephanie Fielding

Kimberley R. Barker, MLIS

A collaboration between ARCS & the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library

Workshop Overview

• Definition of VR

• How VR works

• Safety

• Potential affects on the brain

• Healthcare applications

• Content development projects at UVA

• Survey

• Demonstration

What is VR?

• “an artificial environment which is experienced through sensory stimuli (as sights and sounds) provided by a computer and in which one's actions partially determine what happens in the environment”• https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/virtual%20reality

How Does VR Work?(by tricking your brain!)

• Visual immersion

• Computer-generated graphics

• Interactivity

• Motion tracking

• Undetectable latency

• Two types of VR hardware• All-inclusive headset (Rift, VIVE, Playstation)

• Smartphone platform (Google Cardboard)

Elements of a VR Headset

• Stereoscopic display

• Orientation sensor• Gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer

Top VR Interfaces

• HTC VIVE

• Oculus Rift

• Google Cardboard

Safety Concerns

• Tripping/falling

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Eye strain/fatigue

Healthcare Applications

• Medical education

• Pain relief

• Exposure therapy

• Patient education

Healthcare Applications

• Surgery preparation

• Assisting with recovery

• Physical therapy

• Memory recovery

• PTSD

Resources• Long-term effects of virtual reality use need more

research, say scientists• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/1

9/long-term-effects-of-virtual-reality-use-need-more-research-say-scientists

• Virtual Reality Sickness• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality_sickness

• The Dangers of Virtual Reality• https://www.cnet.com/news/the-dangers-of-virtual-

reality/

Resources• Sharecare Acquires Virtual Reality Company To

Transform Patient Engagement and Medical Education• https://about.sharecare.com/press-releases/sharecare-

acquires-virtual-reality-company-transform-patient-engagement-medical-education

• Virtually Better• http://www.virtuallybetter.com/

• VR surgery: Surgeons use virtual reality to educate patients• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V34yf4_vIT8

Resources

• Could a Video Game Be the Key to Stroke Recovery?• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Gr2Ts48e8