Visual Cues for a Steadier You: Visual Feedback Methods Improved Standing Balance in Virtual Reality for People with...

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Rehabilitation Science
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Head-mounted displays (HMDs) in virtual reality (VR) can cause balance issues by obstructing real-world views.
• Balance impairments are exacerbated in VR due to reliance on visual cues, hindering accessibility.
• Existing research confirms VR-induced imbalance, but solutions for mitigation are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate methods for improving balance in VR using supplementary visual cues.
• To assess the impact of different visual feedback strategies on VR balance.
• To enhance the accessibility of virtual environments for individuals with balance impairments.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 100 participants (50 with balance impairments, 50 without) across the US and Bangladesh.
• Evaluated static, rhythmic, spatial, and center of pressure (CoP) based visual feedback approaches.
• Assessed balance during standing visual exploration and reach-and-grasp tasks in VR.

Main Results:

• Static, rhythmic, and CoP visual feedback significantly improved VR balance in participants with balance impairments.
• These visual feedback methods demonstrated a notable positive effect on balance control.
• The study identified effective visual strategies for enhancing VR usability for vulnerable populations.

Conclusions:

• Specific visual feedback techniques can substantially improve balance in virtual reality for individuals with balance impairments.
• The findings offer practical applications for designing more inclusive and accessible virtual environments.
• This research contributes to overcoming accessibility barriers in VR for users with balance challenges.