Interaction Techniques in Three-Dimensional Virtual Environments Based on Games to Support Chronic Diseases Treatment: A Systematic Review

AbstractVirtual three-dimensional (3-D) environments have become pervasive tools in a number of professional and recreational tasks. However, interacting with these environments can be challenging for users, especially as these environments increase in complexity and scale. In this paper, we argue that the design of 3-D interaction techniques is an ill-defined problem. This claim is elucidated through the context of data-rich and geometrically complex multiscale virtual 3-D environments, where unexpected factors can encumber intellection and navigation. We develop an abstract model to guide our discussion, which illustrates the cyclic relationship of understanding and navigating; a relationship that supports the iterative refinement of a consistent mental representation of the virtual environment. Finally, we highlight strategies to support the design of interactions in multiscale virtual environments, and propose general categories of research focus.

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The Virtual Venue: User-Computer Interaction in Information-Rich Virtual Environments

Presence Teleoperators & Virtual Environments ◽

10.1162/105474698565866 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 478-493 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Doug A. Bowman ◽

Larry F. Hodges ◽

Jay Bolter

Keyword(s):

Information Retrieval ◽

Virtual Environments ◽

Virtual Environment ◽

Information Access ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Virtual Space ◽

Interaction Techniques ◽

Usability Study ◽

Dimensional Interaction ◽

Tightly Coupled

We present a virtual environment application that allows users to access embedded information within an immersive virtual space. Due to the richness and complexity of this environment, efficient and easy-to-use interaction techniques are a crucial requirement. The “Virtual Venue” seamlessly combines both twoand three-dimensional interaction techniques into a single system and utilizes previously reported as well as novel techniques that fit the task of information access. We present tools for user control of the system, travel through the environment, and information retrieval, as well as authoring tools for the creation of information-rich virtual environments. A usability study and its results are also presented and discussed. The study indicates that the use of abstract information that is tightly coupled to the virtual environment can be quite successful in enhancing the relevance of both the environment and the information. Results also show that the set of well-constrained interaction techniques presented here are usable and efficient for information retrieval.

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Human Factors and Interaction Strategies in Three-Dimensional Virtual Environments to Support the Development of Digital Interactive Therapeutic Toy: A Systematic Review

Lecture Notes in Computer Science - Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-21067-4_38 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 368-378 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eunice P. dos Santos Nunes ◽

Eduardo M. Lemos ◽

Cristiano Maciel ◽

Clodoaldo Nunes

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Human Factors ◽

Virtual Environments ◽

Three Dimensional

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The Educational Value of an Information-Rich Virtual Environment

Presence Teleoperators & Virtual Environments ◽

10.1162/105474699566251 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 317-331 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Doug A. Bowman ◽

Larry F. Hodges ◽

Don Allison ◽

Jean Wineman

Keyword(s):

Virtual Environments ◽

Virtual Environment ◽

Spatial Data ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Interaction Techniques ◽

Tight Coupling ◽

Traditional Lecture ◽

Educational Value ◽

Formal Evaluation ◽

Access Information

Information-rich virtual environments consist not only of three-dimensional graphics and other spatial data but also information of an abstract or symbolic nature that is related to the space. An environment of this type can stimulate learning and comprehension, because it provides a tight coupling between symbolic and experiential information. In our virtual zoo exhibit, students can explore an accurate model of the gorilla habitat at Zoo Atlanta and access information related to the design of the exhibit. This paper discusses the design of the application and the interaction techniques used to obtain information. We also present the results of a formal evaluation. Although no statistically significant differences were found, results indicate that students who used the virtual environment had higher test scores than those who only attended a lecture on the material. Trends suggest that the virtual experience allowed students to learn information directly and also equipped them to better learn and understand material from a traditional lecture.

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Supplemental Material for Cognitive Behavior Therapy Combined With Exercise for Adults With Chronic Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Health Psychology ◽

10.1037/hea0000578.supp ◽

2018 ◽

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Behavior Therapy ◽

Cognitive Behavior Therapy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Cognitive Behavior

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Digital Interventions for Psychological Comorbidities in Chronic Diseases—A Systematic Review

Journal of Personalized Medicine ◽

10.3390/jpm11010030 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 30

Author(s):

Marta Maisto ◽

Barbara Diana ◽

Sonia Di Tella ◽

Marta Matamala-Gomez ◽

Jessica Isbely Montana ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Design Elements ◽

Digital Interventions ◽

Digital Contents ◽

Psychological Comorbidities ◽

Quantitative Synthesis ◽

Meta Analyses

Chronic diseases represent one of the main causes of death worldwide. The integration of digital solutions in clinical interventions is broadly diffused today; however, evidence on their efficacy in addressing psychological comorbidities of chronic diseases is sparse. This systematic review analyzes and synthesizes the evidence about the efficacy of digital interventions on psychological comorbidities outcomes of specific chronic diseases. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a systematic search of PubMed, PsycInfo, Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted. Only Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were considered and either depression or anxiety had to be assessed to match the selection criteria. Of the 7636 identified records, 17 matched the inclusion criteria: 9 digital interventions on diabetes, 4 on cardiovascular diseases, 3 on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and one on stroke. Of the 17 studies reviewed, 14 found digital interventions to be effective. Quantitative synthesis highlighted a moderate and significant overall effect of interventions on depression, while the effect on anxiety was small and non-significant. Design elements making digital interventions effective for psychological comorbidities of chronic diseases were singled out: (a) implementing a communication loop with patients and (b) providing disease-specific digital contents. This focus on “how” to design technologies can facilitate the translation of evidence into practice.

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Economics of physical activity in low-income and middle- income countries: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037784 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. e037784

Author(s):

Priyanga Diloshini Ranasinghe ◽

Subhash Pokhrel ◽

Nana Kwame Anokye

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Economic Evaluation ◽

Drug Treatment ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Low Income ◽

Economic Burden ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Middle Income ◽

Middle Income Countries

BackgroundPromotion of physical activity (PA) among populations is a global health investment. However, evidence on economic aspects of PA is sparse and scattered in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to summarise the available evidence on economics of PA in LMICs, identify potential target variables for policy and report gaps in the existing economic evidence alongside research recommendations.Data sourcesA systematic review of the electronic databases (Scopus, Web of Science and SPORTDiscus) and grey literature.Study eligibility criteriaCost-of-illness studies, economic evaluations, interventions and descriptive studies on economic factors associated with PA using preset eligibility criteria.Study appraisal and synthesis of methodsScreening, study selection and quality appraisal based on standard checklists performed by two reviewers with consensus of a third reviewer. Descriptive synthesis of data was performed.ResultsThe majority of the studies were from upper-middle-income countries (n=16, 88.8%) and mainly from Brazil (n=9, 50%). Only one economic evaluation study was found. The focus of the reviewed literature spanned the economic burden of physical inactivity (n=4, 22%), relationship between PA and costs (n=6, 46%) and socioeconomic determinants of PA (n=7, 39%). The findings showed a considerable economic burden due to insufficient PA, with LMICs accounting for 75% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally due to insufficient PA. Socioeconomic correlates of PA were identified, and inverse relationship of PA with the cost of chronic diseases was established. Regular PA along with drug treatment as a treatment scheme for chronic diseases showed advantages with a cost–utility ratio of US$3.21/quality-adjusted life year (QALY) compared with the drug treatment-only group (US$3.92/QALY) by the only economic evaluation conducted in the LMIC, Brazil.LimitationsMeta-analysis was not performed due to heterogeneity of the studies.Conclusions and recommendationsEconomic evaluation studies for PA promotion interventions/strategies and local research from low-income countries are grossly inadequate. Setting economic research agenda in LMICs ought to be prioritised in those areas.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42018099856.

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3DP Printing of Oral Solid Formulations: A Systematic Review

Pharmaceutics ◽

10.3390/pharmaceutics13030358 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 358 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chiara R. M. Brambilla ◽

Ogochukwu Lilian Okafor-Muo ◽

Hany Hassanin ◽

Amr ElShaer

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Data Extraction ◽

New Technology ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Extraction Process ◽

Carcinogenic Risk ◽

Drug Dissolution ◽

Dissolution Profile ◽

Disintegration Time ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a recent technology, which gives the possibility to manufacture personalised dosage forms and it has a broad range of applications. One of the most developed, it is the manufacture of oral solid dosage and the four 3DP techniques which have been more used for their manufacture are FDM, inkjet 3DP, SLA and SLS. This systematic review is carried out to statistically analyze the current 3DP techniques employed in manufacturing oral solid formulations and assess the recent trends of this new technology. The work has been organised into four steps, (1) screening of the articles, definition of the inclusion and exclusion criteria and classification of the articles in the two main groups (included/excluded); (2) quantification and characterisation of the included articles; (3) evaluation of the validity of data and data extraction process; (4) data analysis, discussion, and conclusion to define which technique offers the best properties to be applied in the manufacture of oral solid formulations. It has been observed that with SLS 3DP technique, all the characterisation tests required by the BP (drug content, drug dissolution profile, hardness, friability, disintegration time and uniformity of weight) have been performed in the majority of articles, except for the friability test. However, it is not possible to define which of the four 3DP techniques is the most suitable for the manufacture of oral solid formulations, because the selection is affected by different parameters, such as the type of formulation, the physical-mechanical properties to achieve. Moreover, each technique has its specific advantages and disadvantages, such as for FDM the biggest challenge is the degradation of the drug, due to high printing temperature process or for SLA is the toxicity of the carcinogenic risk of the photopolymerising material.

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