Open Collections

Zhang, Xiangwei

University of British Columbia

This study explored the adaptation and transmission of emotional state, and standing balance to repeated real postural threats after repeated exposure to a virtual postural threat during quiet standing. Specific alterations in standing balance show a stronger correlation with the emotional reaction to a perceived threat. Virtual Reality (VR) has demonstrated utility in examining postural adjustments linked to fear, anxiety, and motor control under different types of perturbations. However, whether the emotional and postural adaptations learned in VR can be transferred to real scenarios is unknown. The primary aim of this study was to examine whether emotional adaptation developed in a VR environment could successfully transfer to real-height scenarios. Additionally, the study sought to understand how such adaptation might influence participants' postural control when facing actual height-induced postural threats. By analyzing both emotional responses, standing balance and postural control across VR and real environments, this research aimed to determine the potential for VR as a training tool for enhancing balance and reducing anxiety-related reactions to heights in real-world settings. The results demonstrated clear adaptation in emotional responses among Study Group participants during their exposure to VR at HIGH heights. This emotional adaptation was observed in both groups during their second visits, with participants who had prior VR training showing a smaller change in emotional response when transitioning from REAL LOW to REAL HIGH conditions. Although not all standing balance outcomes showed significant differences, Study Group participants exhibited a smaller backward lean compared to those who had not trained in VR. These results indicate that VR can be an effective tool for eliciting and training participants' emotional responses, particularly in height-related scenarios.

Text

2025-01-13

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/90119

Kinesiology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/