Jason P Mihalik1, Luv Kohli, Mary C Whitton. 1. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. jmihalik@email.unc.edu
Abstract
CONTEXT: Virtual reality environments may allow researchers to investigate functional balance performance without risks associated with testing in the real world. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the mass of a head-mounted display (HMD) on balance performance. DESIGN: Counterbalanced pretest-posttest. SETTING: Virtual reality laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 20 healthy college students. INTERVENTION(S): Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) with a tracker-only headband and again with tracker plus HMD was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BESS error scores, elliptical sway area, and center of pressure travel distance were recorded. RESULTS: No effect of the HMD mass on balance performance was observed. A significant stance by surface interaction was present but was negated when the HMD conditions were included in the model. CONCLUSIONS: The mass of a HMD has not been proven to adversely affect balance performance. These data suggest the HMD mass is not a contraindication to the use of immersive virtual environments in future concussion research involving balance.
CONTEXT: Virtual reality environments may allow researchers to investigate functional balance performance without risks associated with testing in the real world. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the mass of a head-mounted display (HMD) on balance performance. DESIGN: Counterbalanced pretest-posttest. SETTING: Virtual reality laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: 20 healthy college students. INTERVENTION(S): Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) with a tracker-only headband and again with tracker plus HMD was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: BESS error scores, elliptical sway area, and center of pressure travel distance were recorded. RESULTS: No effect of the HMD mass on balance performance was observed. A significant stance by surface interaction was present but was negated when the HMD conditions were included in the model. CONCLUSIONS: The mass of a HMD has not been proven to adversely affect balance performance. These data suggest the HMD mass is not a contraindication to the use of immersive virtual environments in future concussion research involving balance.