Haptic presentation of virtual objects (VO) can enhance immersion by using real objects as manipulation targets. This study explores how the hardness and softness of a VO can be reproduced via a stylus by manipulating the properties of a real stylus and visual stimuli. Experimental results revealed that hardness perception through a soft real stylus is inaccurate without visual stimuli but can be altered when deformation-based visual stimuli are presented. These findings suggest that combining appropriate visual stimuli with stylus softness enables control over the perceived hardness of VO.

In recent years, well-being has gained attention, with self-esteem enhancement as a key measure. Many people experience low self-esteem due to the gap between their ideal and real selves. This study explored whether viewing the invisible body of the self, termed the ”invisible human experience,” can improve self-esteem. Using deep learning, a system was developed to enable this experience. In order to evaluate the impact of the experience, participants viewed their own bodies with varying body transparency, and psychological states were compared before and after. Results showed that high-transparency bodies significantly increased the sense of invisibility and improved participants’ self-esteem compared to low-transparency bodies.

Some virtual reality (VR) applications introduce the third-person perspective by fixing the camera in position to mitigate visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) and enhance users’ spatial skills. However, this fixing perspective is unsuited for VR experiences where viewers actively track the actions of a third-person character. This study examined the availability of a dynamic perspective with the camera trailing a person running in the virtual environment. Three key indicators were assessed: the sense of VIMS, the sense of presence, and the accuracy of heading angle estimation. The results indicated that the dynamic third-person perspective slightly reduced VIMS and improved spatial skill but had a trade-off relationship with a decreased presence.

This study investigated the effects of movement imitation in a virtual reality (VR) environment on autonomic nervous activity among healthy participants through electrocardiography and finger photoplethysmography. We compared autonomic nervous system activity under two conditions: movement imitation and movement execution. For movement imitation, participants used a head mounted display (HMD) or tablet display (TD), while for movement execution, they referred to text. The results showed that movement imitation via an HMD significantly decreased pulse wavelength, suggesting increased cardiac sympathetic nerve activity compared to movement execution with text (TXT). These findings suggest that movement imitation in a VR environment may benefit rehabilitation settings.

The tracing sensation is crucial for perceiving object friction and texture. While many methods have been proposed to present a realistic tracing sensation, they often require bulky devices. This study proposes a compact approach using a fingertip in contact with the center of a rotating disk. This method reduces device size compared to conventional methods and simulates different textures by incorporating vibrations. Experiments demonstrate that our method presents realistic tracing sensations and can represent multiple textures. The results also suggest that the rotation direction and speed have minimal impact on perceived realism.

This study conducted a two-stage investigation exploring the potential of 360-degree movie content to promote collaboration among healthcare professionals. In phase 1, a pilot version was presented to university faculty members, followed by a group discussion. In phase 2, the revised content from phase 1 was used with graduate students from four healthcare disciplines. The qualitative and quantitative analysis highlighted the differences between professions and revealed both the effectiveness and challenges of using 360-degree movie content in multi-professional education.

Anxiety and stress are general mental health challenges globally, and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) has emerged as a potential method for stress relief and emotional regulation. While traditional ASMR approaches primarily focus on visual and auditory stimuli, the integration of tactile feedback remains underexplored. This study presents asmVR, an innovative approach that combines multimodal triggers–visual, auditory, tactile, and emotional stimuli to enhance ASMR experiences within immersive Virtual Reality (VR) environments. By incorporating vibrotactile feedback and enabling real-time interactions through remote avatar ASMRtists, the study investigates the emotional impact on participants and demonstrates that asmVR has positive impacts on user emotions, emphasizing the potential of vibrotactile feedback including tingling sensations, reducing stress and enhancing well-being. These findings highlight new possibilities for utilizing VR in fields such as entertainment and psychotherapy, proposing a customizable pathway to support mental health through immersive multisensory experiences.

As the metaverse transforms virtual reality (VR) from an experimental technology into a platform for everyday social interaction, researchers face unprecedented challenges that conventional scientific approaches struggle to address. Traditional epistemologies and quantitative methods fall short in capturing the full complexity of emergent VR phenomena. These include nuanced first-person experiences such as embodiment and immersion, as well as the intricate dynamics that unfold when users engage with VR over extended periods in naturalistic, socially rich environments. This paper critically examines the dominant epistemological and methodological paradigms in VR research, arguing for a fundamental shift toward narrative frameworks. We demonstrate how qualitative research methods are not merely complementary but essential for understanding the lived experiences and socio-cultural phenomena that define the metaverse era.