Expert Perspectives on Developing Mixed Reality Software for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Management: A...

Area of Science:

• Vestibular Neuroscience
• Medical Technology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder with variable management.
• Mixed reality (MR) technology presents an opportunity to standardize BPPV diagnostic and treatment maneuvers.
• This study gathered expert opinions to guide MR software development for BPPV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore expert perspectives on developing mixed reality software for BPPV diagnosis and management.
• To identify key design priorities and safety considerations for MR-based BPPV tools.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study involving 17 vestibular care clinicians.
• Structured online questionnaire with open-ended questions.
• Thematic analysis of expert responses.

Main Results:

• Four key domains emerged: Clinical Features, Functional Enhancements, Adverse Effects, and Implementation.
• Experts emphasized needs for procedural guidance, angle measurements, nystagmus detection tools, and interactive aids.
• Safety concerns included eye strain and vertigo exacerbation; implementation priorities focused on display quality, hardware, cost, and usability.

Conclusions:

• Expert feedback highlights the necessity of MR systems prioritizing accuracy, usability, and safety in BPPV care.
• Findings offer a framework for a user-centered MR prototype for BPPV.
• Further clinical evaluation of MR prototypes is recommended.