Evaluation of an Augmented Virtual Reality and Haptic Control Interface for Psychomotor Training

Abstract

This study investigated the design of a virtual reality (VR) simulation integrating a haptic control interface for motor skill training. Twenty-four healthy participants were tested and trained in standardized psychomotor control tasks using native and VR forms with their nondominant hands in order to identify VR design features that might serve to accelerate motor learning. The study was also intended to make preliminary observations on the degree of specific motor skill development that can be achieved with a VR-based haptic simulation. Results revealed significant improvements in test performance following training for the VR with augmented haptic features with insignificant findings for the native task and VR with basic haptic features. Although performance during training was consistently better with the native task, a correspondence between the VR training and test task interfaces led to greater improvement in test performance as reported by a difference between baseline and post-test scores. These findings support use of VR-based haptic simulations of standardized psychomotor tests for motor skill training, including visual and haptic enhancements for effective pattern recognition and discrete movement of objects. The results may serve as an applicable guide for design of future haptic VR features.

Virtual skills training: the role of presence and agency

“…Although the active VR condition allowed participants to practice their putting in the virtual environment, skill improvement was not evident. This may be attributable to a lack of realism in the VR (Kaber et al., 2014; Zhang et al., 2016). Discrepancies that may have prevented skill transfer from virtual to real environment include the Oculus controllers not being the same weight as a golf club, and participants not receiving force feedback when they hit the virtual golf ball.…”

“…Studies by Gray (2017) and Lammfromm and Gopher (2011) show that in training baseball batting and juggling, VR training paired with real life training leads to greater skill improvement when compared to real life training on its own. VR alone has not shown strong effects in training real-world motor skills, so paired training programs compensating for deficits in the fidelity of the virtual environment, or for differences in the movements required to perform the targeted skill (Kaber et al., 2014; Zhang et al., 2016). Comparing real-world and VR-based rowing training programs, Rauter et al.…”

Transforming Experience: The Potential of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality for Enhancing Personal and Clinical Change

“…However, its potential in supporting personal change is wider as demonstrated by different emerging applications: from post-stroke ( 34 ) and physical rehabilitation ( 35 , 36 ), social ( 37 ) and emotional ( 38 ) training for children with autism, to pain reduction ( 39 ). Here, we suggest that the added value of AR is related to the support it offers to all the stages of the experiential learning cycle ( 40 ) (see Figure 2 ).…”

Assessing Goal-Directed Three-Dimensional Movements in a Virtual Reality Block Design Task

“…Research has been conducted on the use of haptic-VR simulation for motor skill training with augmented visual and haptic aiding [25,26]. The target context for these studies was skill training for persons attempting to recover from minor Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) or seeking to develop new motor skills for work and societal activities.…”