Development of VR Preparation tool for Children

Abstract

In this study, we developed a three-dimensional, full-dome VR video as a preparation tool for children to experience movement inside an unfamiliar hospital setting. A total of four VR videos were produced, including a child's point of view, a parent's point of view, and videos from the previous two points of view in which a costumed character appeared. The completed videos were used for VR preparation with a VR HMD, and the difference in effect was analyzed compared to oral preparation. As a result, the evaluation using a visual analog scale showed almost no difference between oral and VR preparation. However, it was found that the child's anxiety state was halved when the child viewed the VR video from the parent's perspective. Additionally, the survey results revealed that the VR video without the costumed character had statistically higher comprehension scores than verbal preparation. Moreover, in the evaluation using heart rate data, the subjects' heart rates tended to increase when the costumed character appeared in the VR video.