Advancing the World of Neuroscience through Virtual and Augmented Reality

Virtual and Augmented Reality are revolutionizing the way we see the world and are starting to play a pivotal role in the fields of neuroscience and psychology.

Before we dive deeper, what are Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)?

VR aims to simulate the real world by taking the user out of their present setting and creating a multi-sensory, 3D dynamic environment.

Contrastingly, AR layers digital information to enhance the user’s physical surroundings. If you have used certain Snapchat filters and played Nintendo 3DS games such as Face Raiders, it is likely that you have encountered AR in action.

These emerging technologies have developed behavioural effects, impacted how we study the brain, and created advancements in the medical field.

Changes in walking patterns, head movements, task performance, and social interactions are some of the behavioural effects created by AR, lingering even after the device is removed. Our brain uses past experiences to create inferences regarding the signals it receives. Therefore, when given the appropriate sensory inputs, humans may be tricked to perceive a simulation to be real. In a research study by Stanford University, participants appeared to be just as affected by the presence of a virtual person as they would be by a real person next to them. In the real world, people are able to perform simple activities with ease but may struggle to complete more difficult ones when others are watching. Similar results were obtained when an avatar was keeping an eye on participants in augmented reality. In fact, the participants were also reluctant to take a seat where a virtual avatar was previously sitting, demonstrating how AR elements can significantly impact how we interact with our surroundings.

Compared to other studied mediums, AR has also driven higher levels of cognitive activity and almost double the levels of visual attention. It has proven to elicit a 45% higher degree of attention compared to TV, which may be useful for the future of the advertising industry. Memory encoding, (the process of storing information in the brain), has also shown to be 70% higher!

To comprehend how the human brain functions, more advanced technologies are required to understand the complex dynamics. VR has already been used extensively in medical settings as tools for cognitive assessment, therapy, physician and surgeon training, rehabilitation for conditions like PTSD and stroke, and educating patients on treatment options. Over the past 10 years, VR and AR have become increasingly prevalent in procedural fields as well, including neurosurgery, skull base surgery, and tumour resection. VR can be used to immerse patients in simulated environments to divert their attention from the operating room while undergoing neurosurgery operations. By promoting neuroplasticity (the ability of the neural networks of your brain to change), it has drawn attention as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease as well as improving movement and problem-solving for Parkinson’s disease patients.

By producing an experience that is more immersive and naturalistic than standard lab approaches, VR is also a beneficial teaching resource. It can help medical professionals gain a thorough understanding of neuroanatomy through 360-degree videos of surgical techniques. Due to its ability to generate three-dimensional models of different parts of the brain, it can be more useful than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) images.

The ‘virtual patient’ is a computer program that simulates real-life clinical scenarios. It is beneficial for students studying in the medical field as they are able to conduct physical examinations of patients along with performing diagnoses, thus developing a series of cognitive clinical skills. In fact, of 70 students who participated in 2 lectures on the same concepts in different ways, the group studying with AR materials achieved a better performance on the knowledge assessment. 79% of students felt that using the mobile AR application facilitated their learning, and 3 out of 4 students felt it helped decrease their cognitive load.

These concepts are rapidly changing the way we live and interact in our daily lives while unlocking a variety of possibilities and contributing to medicinal improvements. The next time you come across Virtual or Augmented Reality, be sure to reflect on its potential impact on your brain and the world around you!