Artificial Versus Video-Based Immersive Virtual Surroundings: Analysis of Performance and User's Preference
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Tobias Huber1, Markus Paschold1, Christian Hansen2
11 University Medicine of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Introduction:
Immersive virtual reality (VR) laparoscopy simulation connects VR simulation with head-mounted displays to increase presence during VR training. The goal of the present study was the comparison of 2 different surroundings according to performance and users' preference.
Methods:
With a custom immersive virtual reality laparoscopy simulator, an artificially created VR operating room (AVR) and a highly immersive VR operating room (IVR) were compared. Participants (n = 30) performed 3 tasks (peg transfer, fine dissection, and cholecystectomy) in AVR and IVR in a crossover study design.
Results:
No overall difference in virtual laparoscopic performance was obtained when comparing results from AVR with IVR. Most participants preferred the IVR surrounding (n = 24). Experienced participants (n = 10) performed significantly better than novices (n = 10) in all tasks regardless of the surrounding ( P < .05). Participants with limited experience (n = 10) showed differing results. Presence, immersion, and exhilaration were significantly higher in IVR. Two thirds assumed that IVR would have a positive influence on their laparoscopic simulator use.
Conclusion:
This first study comparing AVR and IVR did not reveal differences in virtual laparoscopic performance. IVR is considered the more realistic surrounding and is therefore preferred by the participants.