The XR Research Digest

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/s41598…

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.chbr…

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/frvir.…

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/s10055…

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/frvir.…

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/10.1080/104473…

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/frvir.…

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/10.1080/175240…

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

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.ijhc…

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/s41598…

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/journa…

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/frvir.…

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

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, but VR showed no superiority on chosen outcomes. doi.org/10.1016/j.psyc…

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.70…

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/s13428…

Unveiling extended reality: which industries lead XR adoption? New systematic review analysed 155 peer-reviewed studies from 2013–2023. Healthcare, education, and manufacturing led adoption, with data visualisation and training emerging. doi.org/10.1080/095373…

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.cexr…

Please let me think! New research explores the use of conversational fillers with genAI in VR to disguise latency issues. Verbal and non-verbal fillers were tested, with verbal fillers shortening perceived waiting times most effectively. doi.org/10.1145/371655…