Comprehensive Assessment of Physiological and Psychological Responses to Virtual Reality Experiences

Figures

• 

  FIG. 1.. Meta Quest 2 (Oculus) VR headset and touch controllers. Image obtained from: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Meta-Quest-All-One-Oculus-2/dp/B099VMT8VZ?th=1 (accessed on March 2024). VR, virtual reality.

• 

  FIG. 2.. Biopac System set up. (A) Electrocardiogram (ECG) and respiration (RSP) transmitter. (B) Electrodermal activity (EDA) and photoplethysmography (PPG) transmitter.

• 

  FIG. 3.. Stress VR Game: “Affected: The Manor Complete Edition.” Available on Meta Quest 2 and Steam. Image obtained from: https://store.steampowered.com/app/707580/AFFECTED_The_Manor__The_Complete_Edition/ (accessed on March 2024). VR, virtual reality.

• 

  FIG. 4.. Relax VR Game: “TRIPP.” Available on Meta Quest 2 and Steam. Image obtained from: https://www.tripp.com/ (accessed on March 2024). VR, virtual reality.

• 

  FIG. 5.. Study design protocol. The study was conducted over a period of approximately 2 weeks. During each visit, we began by drawing blood through peripheral venipuncture. Next, participants completed the psychological tests, followed by measuring their skin temperature and locating the wearables to collect physiological data. We then set up the experience, placed the VR headset on the participant and started the physiological recordings. After the session, we removed the VR headset and wearables, took the temperature, provided again the psychological tests and took a second blood sample. VR, virtual reality.

• 

  FIG. 6.. Statistical significance of temperature values. This figure shows the p values obtained from analyzing the skin temperature at the four time points. For the Relax VR experience, the mean temperature was 97.2 ± 1 pre-experience, and 97.2 ± 0.96 post-experience. For the Stress VR experience, the mean temperature was 98 ± 0.56 pre-experience and 98.3 ± 0.5 post-experience. VR, Virtual reality.

• 

  FIG. 7.. Average ECG HR distribution results per experience. The distributions display the observed frequency of the average HR obtained for the entire cohort. Among all participants, the average HR for Relax VR was 67.3 ± 9.0 bpm, while for Stress VR it was 82.3 ± 8.5 bpm. The p-value for comparing the heart rates between both experiences was 0.0001. ECG, electrocardiogram; HR, heart rate; VR, virtual reality.

• 

  FIG. 8.. Average RSP respiratory rate (RR) distribution results per experience. The distributions depict the observed frequency of average RR obtained for the entire cohort. Among all participants, the average RR for Relax VR was 12.7 ± 3.1 breaths/min, while for Stress VR it was 15.9 ± 4.5 breaths/min. The p-value for comparing the RRs between both experiences was 0.01. VR, virtual reality.

• 

  FIG. 9.. Analysis of the normalized electrodermal activity (EDA) signal. (A) Distributions of the observed slope of the normalized EDA signal (trend) for the entire cohort. For Relax virtual reality (VR), we observed on average a negative slope, showing a downward trajectory trend. For Stress VR, we observed on average a positive slope, indicating an upward trajectory trend. The p-value for comparing the EDA trend between both experiences was 0.0001. (B) Distributions of the integral of the normalized EDA signal (net change) for the entire cohort. For Relax VR we observed on average a negative net change, indicating a decrease in sweat secretion. For Stress VR we observed on average a positive net change, suggesting an increase in sweat secretion. The p-value for comparing the EDA net change between both experiences was 0.0001.

• 

  FIG. 10.. Statistical significance of cortisol levels. This figure presents the p values obtained from analyzing the Cortisol levels at the four time points. Cortisol levels during the Relax VR experience averaged 8.4 ± 2.85 mcg/dL pre-experience, and 9.2 ± 4.14 mcg/dL post-experience. Cortisol levels during the Stress VR experience averaged 9.55 ± 3.5 mcg/dL pre-experience, and 12.1 ± 5.34 mcg/dL post-experience. VR, virtual reality.

• 

  FIG. 11.. Statistical significance of WBC count. This figure depicts the p values obtained from analyzing the WBC count at the four time points. The WBC count for Relax VR averaged 6.6 ± 1.6 × 103/μL pre-experience, and 7 ± 1.6 × 103/μL post-experience. WBC count for Stress VR averaged 6.6 ± 1.4 × 103/μL pre-experience, and 7 ± 1.5 × 103/μL post-experience. VR, virtual reality; WBC, white blood cell.

• 

  FIG. 12.. Statistical significance of psychological tests (STAI and ASI-3). (A) p values obtained from the statistical analysis of the STAI-Y1 values at the four time points. STAI-Y1 scores for Relax VR pre-experience = 28.65 ± 5.0 and post-experience = 25.3 ± 4.1. STAI-Y1 scores for Stress VR pre-experience = 30.65 ± 6.2 and post-experience = 40.45 ± 11.36. (B) p values obtained from the statistical analysis of the STAI-Y2 scores at the four time points. STAI-Y2 scores for Relax VR pre-experience = 36.85 ± 11.53 and post-experience = 33.25 ± 11.25. STAI-Y2 scores for Stress VR pre-experience = 35.5 ± 9.7 and post-experience = 38.2 ± 12.13. (C) p values obtained from the statistical analysis of the ASI-3 scores at the four time points. ASI-3 scores for Relax VR pre-experience = 13.25 ± 9.19 and post-experience = 9.0 ± 8.5. ASI-3 scores for Stress VR pre-experience = 11.85 ± 9.0 and post-experience = 12.9 ± 11.68. VR, virtual reality.