Virtual Reality for Assessing Body Image: The Body Image Virtual Reality Scale (Bivrs)

Abstract

BIVRS, Body Image Virtual Reality Scale, is a prototype of a diagnostic freeware tool designed to assess cognitive and affective components of body image. It consists of a non- immersive 3D graphical interface through which the patient is able to choose between 7 figures which vary in size from underweight to overweight. The software was developed in two architectures, the first (A) running on a single user desktop computer equipped with a standard virtual reality development software, and the second (B) split into a server (B1) accessible via Internet and actually running the same virtual ambient as in (A), and a VRML client (B2) so that anyone can access the application. The importance of a virtual reality based body image scale relies on the possibility to rapidly test one's perceived body image in better and different ways. It also provides an opportunity to easily develop a trans-cultural database on body image data. Furthermore, the possibility of using 3D can improve the effectiveness of the test because it is easier for the subject to perceive the differences between the various proposed silhouettes.

A systematic literature review of virtual embodied experience

“…This study is among the earliest systematic literature reviews on multidisciplinary research on virtual embodied experience, which accomplishes previous literature reviews and conceptual studies on either virtual experience (Hilken et al, 2022; Rose et al, 2011) or embodied experience (Leitan & Chaffey, 2014), or virtual embodied experience in any specific field (Riva et al, 2019). Focusing on how that experience is virtualized (Riva, 2008; Rose et al, 2011; Steuer, 1992) and embodied (Glenberg, 2010; Leitan & Chaffey, 2014; Salvatore et al, 2015), this study provides a systematic synthesis of the scenarios, theories, methodologies, and primary focuses of, offering a status‐in‐quo of this emerging research body. We can see that both research focuses are in their developing stages, with quite a few components, antecedents, and consequences of virtual embodied experience being identified.…”

“…In the virtual context, individuals interact with a world that is independent of the real world around them: a world that has an appearance of reality but that does not physically exist (Tisseau, 2001). Virtualization thus describes how something exists through a specific medium rather than in direct interaction with the user (Riva, 2008;Steuer, 1992). The pervasive involvement of virtual experience in human life, work, education, and recreation has attracted widespread academic interest (e.g., Davis et al, 2003;Martončik & Lokša, 2016;Tcha-Tokey et al, 2016).…”

“…Focusing on how that experience is virtualized (Riva, 2008;Rose et al, 2011;Steuer, 1992) and embodied (Glenberg, 2010;Leitan & Chaffey, 2014;Salvatore et al, 2015), this study provides a systematic synthesis of the scenarios, theories, methodologies, and primary focuses of, offering a status-in-quo of this emerging research body. We can see that both research focuses are in their developing stages, with quite a few components, antecedents, and consequences of virtual embodied experience being identified.…”

“…The pervasive involvement of virtual experience in human life, work, education, and recreation has attracted widespread academic interest (e.g., Davis et al, 2003; Martončik & Lokša, 2016; Tcha‐Tokey et al, 2016). Virtual experience is regarded primarily as an illusion of existing in reality (Riva, 2008; Steuer, 1992). Lee (2004) proposed a typology of human experience in terms of real experience, hallucinatory experience, and virtual experience, according to the experience pathway (sensory or non‐sensory) and the object being experienced (real, imaginary, or virtual).…”

Virtual Laboratories in STEM Higher Education: A Scoping Review

“…Here, virtual laboratories are described as a space where learners "become part of the simulated environment by interacting with the virtual world" (p. 107). Becoming part of a virtual environment has been said to be the underlying idea of designing VR technologies (Riva, 2008). By providing a three-dimensional graphical environment, and using visual, aural, or haptic devices, VR provides the means for users to "experience the environment as if it were a part of the world" (Riva, 2008, p. 8).…”