Side Effects and Aftereffects of Immersion in Virtual Environments

1994 ◽  
Vol 38 (18) ◽  
pp. 1154-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald R. Lampton ◽  
Eugenia M. Kolasinski ◽  
Bruce W. Knerr ◽  
James P. Bliss ◽  
John H. Bailey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Data Handling ◽  
Immersive Virtual Environment ◽  
Simulated Environments ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
And Training

Immersive Virtual Environment (VE) technology, also known as virtual reality, is being touted as an important new medium for education and training. Other potential applications involve communications, medicine, architecture, astronomy, data handling, teleoperation, and entertainment. A threat to the successful application of this technology is that some users of VE systems suffer unwanted side effects and aftereffects similar to, but not limited to, symptoms of motion sickness. These effects may degrade training effectiveness and jeopardize user safety and well-being. This paper describes the incidence and severity of symptoms we recorded during four different experiments which examined VE training applications. The experiments involved a variety of tasks, simulated environments, and VE systems. We administered a 28 item questionnaire that addressed symptoms related to nausea, eye strain, and dizziness. Significant variation was observed across individuals. In each experiment some users, between 4 and 16%, experienced discomfort to the extent that we terminated their participation. Most users enjoyed the VE experiment but reported some level of discomfort. Our findings indicated that sickness resulting from VE immersion is a potentially serious problem which may not be completely eradicated by improvements in equipment. This paper describes the patterns of effects we observed, discusses the challenges of measuring effects, and outlines future research.

Subjective well-being under clozapine measured with the Serbian version of GASS-C: Preliminary results

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s815-s815
Author(s):  
D. Ignjatovic Ristic ◽  
C. Dan ◽  
D. Hinic ◽  
J. Jovic
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Psychotic Disorder ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Clinical Benefits ◽  
Serbian Version ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Headache Pain

IntroductionClinical benefits of antipsychotic treatment depend on the efficacy and on the patients’ tolerability and compliance. To reduce patient initiated treatment discontinuation, timely detection of treatment emergent side effects is essential. The Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-effects scale for clozapine (GASS-C) is a recently developed instrument to measure subjectively experienced clozapine side effects.ObjectivesTimely detection of unreported clozapine related side-effects.AimDocumenting the prevalence of side-effects in schizophrenia or chronic psychotic disorder with the Serbian version of the GASS-C.MethodsThe sample included 95 in and outpatients with schizophrenia or chronic psychotic disorder. All subjects filled out the Serbian version of the GASS-C and a sociodemographic questionnaire.ResultsThe median age was 46.1 years; 53.7% of subjects were male. Clozapine doses ranged from 25 to 423 mg. Drowsiness (78%) was the most commonly reported side-effect. Overall, 16.8% of the patients added other complaints, such as headache, pain, hand or leg numbing or nightmares. According to GASS-C total score categorization [2], only 4.2. % of subjects were rated with severe side-effects, while 14% of themselves rated their symptoms as severe or distressing. More side effects were reported by female patients and by inpatients. Only a weak positive correlation was found between the severity of the side effects and clozapine dosage.ConclusionsWe found the GASS-C to be a useful instrument that elicits both unknown side-effects and patients rating of their severity. Side effects did not clearly relate to the prescribed dose. Future research should include the relation of clozapine plasma levels with side effects assessed with GASS-C.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Research in Virtual Environments and Simulation at the Institute for Simulation and Training of the University of Central Florida

1995 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-217
Author(s):  
J. Michael Moshell ◽  
Art Cortes ◽  
Tom Clarke ◽  
Kimberly C. Abel ◽  
Mark Kilby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Physical Simulation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
University Of Central Florida ◽  
Central Florida ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Simulation And Training ◽  
Display Technology ◽  
The University ◽  
And Training

The Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) was created in 1984 by the University of Central Florida to provide research support to the U.S. Department of Defense in the area of simulation-based training. In 1989, IST's Visual Systems Laboratory (VSL) was inaugurated. Focal areas of research at VSL include distributed realtime physical simulation, interoperability among networked simulators, the application of virtual environments to education, training, and design, and head-mounted display technology. Section 1 describes the history of IST and VSL, and VSL's early projects. Section 2 surveys current research projects in three main areas: dynamic environments, interoperability, and virtual environments. Section 3 describes service and educational activities, and Section 4 provides insight into future research plans.

Humility, Personality, and Psychological Functioning

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412110628
Author(s):  
Lisa T. Ross ◽  
Jennifer C. Wright
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Psychological Functioning ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social Self ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Potential Applications

As part of the shift to a more positive psychology, researchers have demonstrated a relatively new and intense fascination with humility. Following a discussion of this construct and its correlates, we investigate how humility relates to personality dimensions, anxiety and depression, love of life and happiness, and self-efficacy in two samples—college students and adult Mturk workers. In both studies, we used the Dual Dimension Humility Scale, a measure that does not conflate the construct with honesty. Among students ( N = 399), aspects humility correlated with dimensions of personality (more conscientiousness and openness, and less agreeableness and neuroticism), less depression, more love of life and happiness, and stronger social self-efficacy. Although fewer associations were found, overall, among adults ( N = 509), aspects of humility correlated with dimensions of personality, less anxiety, and some dimensions of psychological well-being. The most unique contributions of this study include linking humility with college students’ love of life and self-efficacy, and with adults’ well-being. We conclude with a discussion of ideas for future research and potential applications to boost humility.

Immersive Virtual Video Game Play and Presence: Influences on Aggressive Feelings and Behavior

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Persky ◽  
Jim Blascovich
Keyword(s):  
Video Game ◽  
Research Paradigm ◽  
User Experiences ◽  
Video Game Play ◽  
Violent Video Game ◽  
Immersive Virtual Environment ◽  
Simulated Environments ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
And Training

Immersive virtual environment technology (IVET) allows developers to create simulated environments that can engage users in context relevant behaviors and that can produce relatively intense user experiences for purposes such as entertainment (e.g., video games), phobia desensitization, and training. We predicted that playing a violent video game using an IVET platform would lead to increased presence and aggressive feelings and behavior compared to playing on a less immersive desktop platform. The results of two experiments supported this hypothesis. The data suggest that presence mediated the relationship between playing platform and aggressive feelings but not the relationship between playing platform and aggressive behavior. Finally, we explored the utility of using cardiovascular measures within this research paradigm.

scholarly journals Validation of the Psychological Insight Scale: A new scale to assess psychological insight following a psychedelic experience

2022 ◽  
pp. 026988112110667
Author(s):  
Joseph M Peill ◽  
Katie E Trinci ◽  
Hannes Kettner ◽  
Lea J Mertens ◽  
Leor Roseman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
High Internal Consistency ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: As their name suggests, ‘psychedelic’ (mind-revealing) compounds are thought to catalyse processes of psychological insight; however, few satisfactory scales exist to sample this. This study sought to develop a new scale to measure psychological insight after a psychedelic experience: the Psychological Insight Scale (PIS). Methods: The PIS is a six- to seven-item questionnaire that enquires about psychological insight after a psychedelic experience (PIS-6) and accompanied behavioural changes (PIS item 7). In total, 886 participants took part in a study in which the PIS and other questionnaires were completed in a prospective fashion in relation to a planned psychedelic experience. For validation purposes, data from 279 participants were analysed from a non-specific ‘global psychedelic survey’ study. Results: Principal components analysis of PIS scores revealed a principal component explaining 73.57% of the variance, which displayed high internal consistency at multiple timepoints throughout the study (average Cronbach’s α = 0.94). Criterion validity was confirmed using the global psychedelic survey study, and convergent validity was confirmed via the Therapeutic-Realizations Scale. Furthermore, PIS scores significantly mediated the relationship between emotional breakthrough and long-term well-being. Conclusion: The PIS is complementary to current subjective measures used in psychedelic studies, most of which are completed in relation to the acute experience. Insight – as measured by the PIS – was found to be a key mediator of long-term psychological outcomes following a psychedelic experience. Future research may investigate how insight varies throughout a psychedelic process, its underlying neurobiology and how it impacts behaviour and mental health.

Virtual Restorative Environments

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
James F. Knight ◽  
Robert J. Stone ◽  
Cheng Qian
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Display System ◽  
Restorative Environments ◽  
Urban City ◽  
Restorative Environment ◽  
Natural Settings ◽  
Olfactory Display

Previous restorative environment (RE) research suggests that exposure of individuals to natural settings can reduce stress, improve feelings of well-being, and help individuals to recover from fatigue following intensive mental activities. This paper focuses on possible future opportunities for exploring Virtual Environments (VE) in the pursuit of restorative and rehabilitative therapies. The paper presents early work in developing such a Virtual Restorative Environment (VRE) and includes results from two preliminary studies. The first study compared two VEs (an urban city scene and a rural coastal scene) and showed the effect of ambient sounds on ratings of anxiety and relaxation. The second study explored the opportunity of incorporating odours into a VE using a novel olfactory display system and evaluated methods for measuring their effect on the user. Throughout, the paper discusses human factors and usability issues for VRE technologies and future research opportunities.

Measuring Impact of Stress in Sandwich Generation Caring for Demented Parents

GeroPsych ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence M. Solberg ◽  
Lauren B. Solberg ◽  
Emily N. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Exploratory Factor Analysis ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sandwich Generation ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Adult Caregivers ◽  
The Impact

Stress in caregivers may affect the healthcare recipients receive. We examined the impact of stress experienced by 45 adult caregivers of their elderly demented parents. The participants completed a 32-item questionnaire about the impact of experienced stress. The questionnaire also asked about interventions that might help to reduce the impact of stress. After exploratory factor analysis, we reduced the 32-item questionnaire to 13 items. Results indicated that caregivers experienced stress, anxiety, and sadness. Also, emotional, but not financial or professional, well-being was significantly impacted. There was no significant difference between the impact of caregiver stress on members from the sandwich generation and those from the nonsandwich generation. Meeting with a social worker for resource availability was identified most frequently as a potentially helpful intervention for coping with the impact of stress.

The Therapist’s Reaction to a Patient’s Suicide

Crisis ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Friedrich Martin Wurst ◽  
Isabella Kunz ◽  
Gregory Skipper ◽  
Manfred Wolfersdorf ◽  
Karl H. Beine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Reaction ◽  
Emotional Reactions ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
General Hospitals ◽  
Item Questionnaire ◽  
Retrospective Nature ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Background: A substantial proportion of therapists experience the loss of a patient to suicide at some point during their professional life. Aims: To assess (1) the impact of a patient’s suicide on therapists distress and well-being over time, (2) which factors contribute to the reaction, and (3) which subgroup might need special interventions in the aftermath of suicide. Methods: A 63-item questionnaire was sent to all 185 Psychiatric Clinics at General Hospitals in Germany. The emotional reaction of therapists to patient’s suicide was measured immediately, after 2 weeks, and after 6 months. Results: Three out of ten therapists suffer from severe distress after a patients’ suicide. The item “overall distress” immediately after the suicide predicts emotional reactions and changes in behavior. The emotional responses immediately after the suicide explained 43.5% of the variance of total distress in a regression analysis. Limitations: The retrospective nature of the study is its primary limitation. Conclusions: Our data suggest that identifying the severely distressed subgroup could be done using a visual analog scale for overall distress. As a consequence, more specific and intensified help could be provided to these professionals.

Voices of Distress: The Emotional Peril of Not Attaining a Dietetic Internship in Ontario

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Jennifer Lee Brady ◽  
Annie Hoang ◽  
Olivia Siswanto ◽  
Jordana Riesel ◽  
Jacqui Gingras
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Application Process ◽  
Dietetic Education ◽  
Dietetic Internship ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training ◽  
Future Growth

Obtaining dietetic licensure in Ontario requires completion of a Dietitians of Canada (DC) accredited four-year undergraduate degree in nutrition and an accredited post-graduate internship or combined Master’s degree program. Given the scarcity of internship positions in Ontario, each year approximately two-thirds of the eligible applicants who apply do not receive a position XX, XX, XX, XX, XX, XX, in press). Anecdotally, not securing an internship position is known to be a particularly disconcerting experience that has significant consequences for individuals’ personal, financial, and professional well-being. However, no known empirical research has yet explored students’ experiences of being unsuccessful in applying for internship positions. Fifteen individuals who applied between 2005 and 2009 to an Ontario-based dietetic internship program, but were unsuccessful at least once, participated in a one-on-one semi-structured interview. Findings reveal that participants’ experiences unfold successively in four phases that are characterized by increasingly heightened emotional peril: naïveté, competition, devastation, and frustration. The authors conclude that the current model of dietetic education and training in Ontario causes lasting distress to students and hinders the future growth and vitality of the dietetic profession. Further research is required to understand the impact of the current model on dietetic educators, internship coordinators, and preceptors as coincident participants in the internship application process.

Probiotics in gastroenterology – from a different angle

2013 ◽  
Vol 154 (8) ◽  
pp. 294-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
György Miklós Buzás
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effect ◽  
Analytical Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gastrointestinal Diseases ◽  
Convincing Evidence ◽  
Probiotic Treatment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Irritable Bowel

After a short overview of the history of probiotics, the author presents the development of human intestinal microflora based on the newest genetic data and the microbiological features of main probiotics. The indications of probiotic administration have been defined and extended in recent years. The author reviews significant results of probiotic treatment in some gastrointestinal diseases based on meta-analytical data. Probiotics are useful in preventing and treating diarrhoea caused by antibiotics and Clostridium difficile caused diarrhoea. In the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, preparations containing certain Lactobacillus,Bifidobacterium strains or Saccaromyces boulardii could enhance by 5–10% the rate of successful eradication and reduce the incidence and severity of the side effects. Some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and thus the quality of life can be improved by probiotics. Their beneficial effect in ulcerative colitis was proven, while in Crohn’s disease has not yet been defined. The use of probiotics is not included in guidelines, with the exception of the Maastricht IV/Florence consensus. For each disease it is advisable to use probiotics containing strains only with proven beneficial effect. The efficiency of preparations containing mixed strains has not yet been properly investigated. The author reviews the rare but potentially serious side effects of probiotics. In Hungary, there are many probiotic preparations available which can be purchased in pharmacies without prescription: their use is more empirical than evidence-based. The European Food Safety Authority has recently rejected claims for probiotics to be classed as medicines given the lack of convincing evidence on the effects of probiotics on human health and well-being. Clearly, further research is needed to collect evidence which could be incorporated into the international guidelines. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 294–304.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document