Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review

Introduction: Decision making and action execution both rely on sensory information, and their primary objective is to minimise uncertainty. Virtual reality (VR) introduces uncertainty due to the imprecision of perceptual information. The concept of “sensorimotor uncertainty” is a pivotal element in...

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Main Authors: Mar Flores-Cortes, Javier Guerra-Armas, Consolacion Pineda-Galan, Roy La Touche, Alejandro Luque-Suarez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-10-01
Series:Brain Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/10/1461
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author Mar Flores-Cortes
Javier Guerra-Armas
Consolacion Pineda-Galan
Roy La Touche
Alejandro Luque-Suarez
author_facet Mar Flores-Cortes
Javier Guerra-Armas
Consolacion Pineda-Galan
Roy La Touche
Alejandro Luque-Suarez
author_sort Mar Flores-Cortes
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Decision making and action execution both rely on sensory information, and their primary objective is to minimise uncertainty. Virtual reality (VR) introduces uncertainty due to the imprecision of perceptual information. The concept of “sensorimotor uncertainty” is a pivotal element in the interplay between perception and action within the VR environment. The role of immersive VR in the four stages of motor behaviour decision making in people with pain has been previously discussed. These four processing levels are the basis to understand the uncertainty that a patient experiences when using VR: sensory information, current state, transition rules, and the outcome obtained. Methods: This review examines the different types of uncertainty that a patient may experience when they are immersed in a virtual reality environment in a context of pain. Randomised clinical trials, a secondary analysis of randomised clinical trials, and pilot randomised clinical trials related to the scope of Sensorimotor Uncertainty in Immersive Virtual Reality were included after searching. Results: Fifty studies were included in this review. They were divided into four categories regarding the type of uncertainty the intervention created and the stage of the decision-making model. Conclusions: Immersive virtual reality makes it possible to alter sensorimotor uncertainty, but studies of higher methodological quality are needed on this topic, as well as an exploration into the patient profile for pain management using immersive VR.
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spelling doaj.art-8dadfe5a25e649ec99953ecde9c253ed2023-11-19T15:53:16ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252023-10-011310146110.3390/brainsci13101461Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping ReviewMar Flores-Cortes0Javier Guerra-Armas1Consolacion Pineda-Galan2Roy La Touche3Alejandro Luque-Suarez4Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, SpainFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, SpainFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, SpainInstituto de Dolor Craneofacial y Neuromusculoesquelético (INDCRAN), 28008 Madrid, SpainFaculty of Health Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, SpainIntroduction: Decision making and action execution both rely on sensory information, and their primary objective is to minimise uncertainty. Virtual reality (VR) introduces uncertainty due to the imprecision of perceptual information. The concept of “sensorimotor uncertainty” is a pivotal element in the interplay between perception and action within the VR environment. The role of immersive VR in the four stages of motor behaviour decision making in people with pain has been previously discussed. These four processing levels are the basis to understand the uncertainty that a patient experiences when using VR: sensory information, current state, transition rules, and the outcome obtained. Methods: This review examines the different types of uncertainty that a patient may experience when they are immersed in a virtual reality environment in a context of pain. Randomised clinical trials, a secondary analysis of randomised clinical trials, and pilot randomised clinical trials related to the scope of Sensorimotor Uncertainty in Immersive Virtual Reality were included after searching. Results: Fifty studies were included in this review. They were divided into four categories regarding the type of uncertainty the intervention created and the stage of the decision-making model. Conclusions: Immersive virtual reality makes it possible to alter sensorimotor uncertainty, but studies of higher methodological quality are needed on this topic, as well as an exploration into the patient profile for pain management using immersive VR.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/10/1461sensorimotoruncertaintyvirtual realitymotor behaviourpain
spellingShingle Mar Flores-Cortes
Javier Guerra-Armas
Consolacion Pineda-Galan
Roy La Touche
Alejandro Luque-Suarez
Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review
Brain Sciences
sensorimotor
uncertainty
virtual reality
motor behaviour
pain
title Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review
title_full Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review
title_fullStr Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review
title_full_unstemmed Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review
title_short Sensorimotor Uncertainty of Immersive Virtual Reality Environments for People in Pain: Scoping Review
title_sort sensorimotor uncertainty of immersive virtual reality environments for people in pain scoping review
topic sensorimotor
uncertainty
virtual reality
motor behaviour
pain
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/10/1461
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AT consolacionpinedagalan sensorimotoruncertaintyofimmersivevirtualrealityenvironmentsforpeopleinpainscopingreview
AT roylatouche sensorimotoruncertaintyofimmersivevirtualrealityenvironmentsforpeopleinpainscopingreview
AT alejandroluquesuarez sensorimotoruncertaintyofimmersivevirtualrealityenvironmentsforpeopleinpainscopingreview