An introduction to virtual reality

1. Virtual Reality:
Potential & Possibility
Jacalyn Huband, Ph.D.
Stephanie Fielding
Kimberley R. Barker, MLIS
A collaboration between ARCS &
the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library

2. Workshop Overview
• Definition of VR
• How VR works
• Safety
• Potential affects on the brain
• Healthcare applications
• Content development projects at UVA
• Survey
• Demonstration

3. What is VR?
• “an artificial environment which is experienced
through sensory stimuli (as sights and sounds)
provided by a computer and in which one's actions
partially determine what happens in the
environment”
• https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/virtual%20reality

4. How Does VR Work?
(by tricking your brain!)
• Visual immersion
• Computer-generated graphics
• Interactivity
• Motion tracking
• Undetectable latency
• Two types of VR hardware
• All-inclusive headset (Rift, VIVE, Playstation)
• Smartphone platform (Google Cardboard)

5. Elements of a VR Headset
• Stereoscopic display
• Orientation sensor
• Gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer

7. Top VR Interfaces
• HTC VIVE
• Oculus Rift
• Google Cardboard

8. Safety Concerns
• Tripping/falling
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Eye strain/fatigue

9. Healthcare Applications
• Medical education
• Pain relief
• Exposure therapy
• Patient education

10. Healthcare Applications
• Surgery preparation
• Assisting with recovery
• Physical therapy
• Memory recovery
• PTSD

11. Resources
• Long-term effects of virtual reality use need more
research, say scientists
• https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/mar/1
9/long-term-effects-of-virtual-reality-use-need-more-
research-say-scientists
• Virtual Reality Sickness
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_reality_sickness
• The Dangers of Virtual Reality
• https://www.cnet.com/news/the-dangers-of-virtual-
reality/

12. Resources
• Sharecare Acquires Virtual Reality Company To
Transform Patient Engagement and Medical Education
• https://about.sharecare.com/press-releases/sharecare-
acquires-virtual-reality-company-transform-patient-
engagement-medical-education
• Virtually Better
• http://www.virtuallybetter.com/
• VR surgery: Surgeons use virtual reality to educate
patients
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V34yf4_vIT8

13. Resources
• Could a Video Game Be the Key to Stroke
Recovery?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Gr2Ts48e8