Abstract
The lay population is rapidly adopting virtual reality (VR) technology for a number of applications related to education, such as reading. Recent research on VR use reports that it can affect how visual depth is perceived in VR, which could in turn cause disorientation and downstream negative effects on gait and balance. Thus, it is important to determine relationships between VE design and gait and balance control. PURPOSE: The purpose of this ongoing study is to evaluate the acute effects of VE design on gait and balance control following VR use. METHODS: 60 young, healthy participants read a story in one of three VEs for 45 minutes: 1) dark outer space (space), 2) a bright snowy landscape (snow), and 3) a cluttered library (library), which were selected based on their large differences in visual clutter and lighting. Before and following the reading task, participants were asked to perform three standing balance and two gait tasks of varying difficulty. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during these tasks through an 8-camera 3D motion capture system and two force plates. These data were used to quantify standing balance metrics related to participants’ center of pressure (COP), as well as gait measurements such as velocity and margin of stability. RESULTS: Preliminary findings (n = 12) indicate that reading in the space VE hindered balance, as participants exhibited greater mean COP velocity (0.004 m/s) during single-leg balance compared to the snow (0.001 m/s) and library (0.001 m/s) VEs. Further, participants who read in the space VE walked at a slower velocity (0.67 m/s) following VR use compared to the other two groups (snow = 1.09 m/s, library = 0.8 m/s). The space and library groups had smaller margins of stability during walking following VR use (0.17 m and 0.15 m, respectively) compared to the snow group (0.25 m). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that VE design can influence control of gait and balance following use. Those who read in a dark space environment exhibited the most negative outcomes, which can potentially be attributed to a lack of visual anchors in the space environment, thereby increasing visual fatigue and disorientation. In populations with compromised balance (such as in older adults), the type of VE used should be considered for long-term use.
Borna Golbarg
Undergraduate Student
Jose Diaz
Master’s Candidate
Rabbani Nzeza
Master’s Candidate
