User Experience on Virtual Reality on Motor Learning and Real World Skill Transfer of a Novel Forearm and Hand Prosthesis

Authors

Kenneth M. Mazariegos, California State University, NorthridgeFollow
Jacob Hinkel-LipskerFollow

Abstract

Virtual Reality is a medium that growing as a means for rehabilitation practices, allowing patients to receive personalized training scenarios with minimal equipment and space requirements. However, there is still a need to understand how different aspects of VR design such as physical fidelity (visual realism), cognitive fidelity (psychological realism), and adaptivity (whether the challenge of the VR task scales to user proficiency) influence learning and enhancement of motor skills. PURPOSE. To evaluate the impact of physical and cognitive fidelity in a VR environment on motor learning and real-world skill transfer of a reaching task using a novel arm prosthesis. Such work lends insights into the user experience of a custom-designed virtual environment for future design of prosthetic familiarization protocols. METHODS. For this currently ongoing study 60 participants are being assigned into 10 groups (High/Low physical fidelity, high/low cognitive fidelity, static/adaptive VR, 2 Real world groups with either high/low cognitive fidelity). Participants in each group train for 5 weeks learning a task where they use a prosthetic arm to sort blocks into corresponding bins based on various categories. Before training, participants complete a real-world baseline session and following training a transfer test is implemented. During baseline, every other training session, and retention/transfer participants completed surveys related to negative symptoms (e.g.disorientation) after VR use, the usability of the system, motivation, interest and enjoyment, and mental workload. They were also measured on their performance on how many blocks participants sorted correctly. RESULTS. Preliminary results indicate that negative symptoms decreased over training sessions, indicating an acclimation to VR over time. , Participants also reported a high level of motivation that did not decrease over time, high levels of interest and enjoyment, and varied levels of mental demand. CONCLUSION. These results indicate a generally positive user experience, highlighting the promise of VR in future rehabilitation efforts for those with arm amputation learning to use a new prosthesis.

Recommended Citation

Mazariegos, Kenneth M. and Hinkel-Lipsker, Jacob (2025) "User Experience on Virtual Reality on Motor Learning and Real World Skill Transfer of a Novel Forearm and Hand Prosthesis," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 14: Iss. 5, Article 39.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol14/iss5/39