Using Virtual Reality to Improve Sitting Balance

Alice Barnes, MNAS student will defend her thesis entitled Using Virtual Reality to Improve Sitting Balance

ABSTRACT

This thesis focuses on using virtual reality (VR) to enhance sitting balance and core strength.  It is a study in how to create a VR exercise program which is interesting enough to keep players/patients motivated, but comfortable to play and not overwhelming to the senses.  The software used for this study was written with the hope that a later version of it might be used with occupational/physical therapy patients one day.  For this master’s thesis, the initial testing has been done with healthy volunteers.  The software incorporates what developers know thus far about designing for VR, and it is hoped that later software developers will benefit from knowing the results of this initial round of testing.  All of the 39 test participants agreed that the game was fun, with 82% indicating “strongly agree” in the questionnaire.  The enthusiastic responses indicate that the game probably has recreational value beyond therapy patients.  

Free