The effects of immersiveness on physiology.
The effects of varying levels of immersion in virtual reality environments on participant's heart rate, respiration rate, peripheral skin temperature, and skin resistance levels were examined. Subjective reports of presence were also noted. Participants were presented with a virtual environment of an airplane flight both as seen from a two-dimensional computer screen and as seen from within a head-mounted display. Subjects were randomly assigned to different order of conditions presented, but all subjects received both conditions. Differences between the non-phobics' physiological responses and the phobic's response when placed in a virtual environment related to the phobia were noted. Also noted were changes in physiology based on degree of immersion.
Wiederhold
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BK
Center for Advanced Multimedia Psychotherapy, California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, USA.
Davis
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R
Wiederhold
M D
MD
D000328:Adult; D000401:Aircraft; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011603:Psychophysiology; D011936:Reality Testing; D012931:Social Environment; D014584:User-Computer Interface