@article{palombiRoleSensePresence2023,

title = {The Role of Sense of Presence in Expressing Cognitive Abilities in a Virtual Reality Task: An Initial Validation Study},

author = { Tommaso Palombi and Federica Galli and Francesco Giancamilli and Monica D'Amico and Fabio Alivernini and Luigi Gallo and Pietro Neroni and Marco Predazzi and Giuseppe De Pietro and Fabio Lucidi and Antonio Giordano and Andrea Chirico},

url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-40510-0},

doi = {10.1038/s41598-023-40510-0},

issn = {2045-2322},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-08-01},

urldate = {2023-08-01},

journal = {Scientific Reports},

volume = {13},

number = {1},

pages = {13396},

publisher = {Nature Publishing Group},

abstract = {There is a raised interest in literature to use Virtual Reality (VR) technology as an assessment tool for cognitive domains. One of the essential advantages of transforming tests in an immersive virtual environment is the possibility of automatically calculating the test's score, a time-consuming process under natural conditions. Although the characteristics of VR can deliver different degrees of immersion in a virtual environment, the sense of presence could jeopardize the evolution of these practices. The sense of presence results from a complex interaction between human, contextual factors, and the VR environment. The present study has two aims: firstly, it contributes to the validation of a virtual version of the naturalistic action test (i.e., virtual reality action test); second, it aims to evaluate the role of sense of presence as a critical booster of the expression of cognitive abilities during virtual reality tasks. The study relies on healthy adults tested in virtual and real conditions in a cross-over research design. The study's results support the validity of the virtual reality action test. Furthermore, two structural equation models are tested to comprehend the role of sense of presence as a moderator in the relationship between cognitive abilities and virtual task performance.},

keywords = {Healthcare, Psychology, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{augelloVITEConferenceContributes2023,

title = {VITE I Conference: Contributes in the Frame of a Human Augmentation Space},

author = { Agnese Augello and Giuseppe Caggianese and Luigi Gallo},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Journal of the Italian Astronomical Society},

volume = {94},

number = {1},

abstract = {Our contribution is to examine some of the works presented during the VITE I conference from a perspective of Human Augmentation (HA). In the paper, we provide a definition of HA framed by Enactivism theory, also schematizing our viewpoint in a threedimensional space and into an architecture for designing and implementing HA systems.},

keywords = {Artificial intelligence, Augmented Reality, Enactivism, Human augmentation, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{melilloVirtualRealityRehabilitation2022a,

title = {Virtual Reality Rehabilitation Systems for Cancer Survivors: A Narrative Review of the Literature},

author = { Antonio Melillo and Andrea Chirico and Giuseppe De Pietro and Luigi Gallo and Giuseppe Caggianese and Daniela Barone and Michelino De Laurentiis and Antonio Giordano},

doi = {10.3390/cancers14133163},

issn = {2072-6694},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-06-01},

urldate = {2023-05-10},

journal = {Cancers},

volume = {14},

number = {13},

pages = {3163},

abstract = {Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in cancer care, as the functioning of cancer survivors is frequently compromised by impairments that can result from the disease itself but also from the long-term sequelae of the treatment. Nevertheless, the current literature shows that only a minority of patients receive physical and/or cognitive rehabilitation. This lack of rehabilitative care is a consequence of many factors, one of which includes the transportation issues linked to disability that limit the patient's access to rehabilitation facilities. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has further shown the benefits of improving telemedicine and home-based rehabilitative interventions to facilitate the delivery of rehabilitation programs when attendance at healthcare facilities is an obstacle. In recent years, researchers have been investigating the benefits of the application of virtual reality to rehabilitation. Virtual reality is shown to improve adherence and training intensity through gamification, allow the replication of real-life scenarios, and stimulate patients in a multimodal manner. In our present work, we offer an overview of the present literature on virtual reality-implemented cancer rehabilitation. The existence of wide margins for technological development allows us to expect further improvements, but more randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the hypothesis that VRR may improve adherence rates and facilitate telerehabilitation.},

keywords = {Healthcare, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{espositoEfficacyVirtualReality2022,

title = {Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Program in Pediatric Surgery to Reduce Anxiety and Distress Symptoms in the Preoperative Phase: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial},

author = { Ciro Esposito and Giuseppe Autorino and Anna Iervolino and Emilia Anna Vozzella and Mariapina Cerulo and Giovanni Esposito and Vincenzo Coppola and Roberto Carulli and Giuseppe Cortese and Luigi Gallo and Maria Escolino},

doi = {10.1089/lap.2021.0566},

issn = {1092-6429, 1557-9034},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-02-01},

urldate = {2023-03-15},

journal = {Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques},

volume = {32},

number = {2},

pages = {197--203},

abstract = {Background: Virtual reality (VR) experience is the most adopted form of video-gaming to reduce preoperative anxiety. This prospective randomized clinical trial aimed to examine the feasibility and efficacy of preoperative VR experience in children undergoing elective surgery. Materials and Methods: All patients older than 13 years and scheduled for elective surgery between March and June 2021 were enrolled. Preoperative VR experience consisted in watching a 5-minute video using a head-mounted display. Four parameters were evaluated and compared between the two groups: (1) patient heart rate (HR) before anesthesia; (2) patient evaluation of preoperative anxiety using facial affective scale (FAS); (3) anesthesiologist evaluation of preoperative anxiety using FAS; and (4) subjective stress scoring using a 5-item Likert-type scale. Results: A total of 40 patients (23 boys) with a median age of 14.5 years (range 12– 17) participated in the study. The patients were randomized in two groups, each of 20 patients, according to preoperative VR experience: VR group (G1) and control group (G2). No adverse events related to VR occurred. The patient median HR was significantly lower in G1 (72 bpm) than in G2 (101 bpm) (P = .001). The very relaxed/relaxed face selection rate using FAS was significantly higher in G1 than in G2, in both patient and anesthesiologist evaluations (P = .001). Finally, the subjective patient scoring of operating room experience was significantly greater in G1 [4.6 $pm$ 0.4] than in G2 [2.15 $pm$ 1.07] (P = .001). Conclusions: Our preliminary results showed that VR is safe and effective to relieve anxiety and improve relaxation in the preoperative period in pediatric patients undergoing elective surgery. The VR experience resulted in decreased overall anxiety and increased overall positive affect during the preoperative period in VR group compared with the control group. Further studies are needed to investigate this technology in the postoperative phase and on a larger patient cohort.},

keywords = {Healthcare, Pediatric Surgery, Randomized Clinical Trial, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{melilloLaborAnalgesiaSystematic2022a,

title = {Labor Analgesia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Non-Pharmacological Complementary and Alternative Approaches to Pain during First Stage of Labor},

author = { Antonio Melillo and Patrizia Maiorano and Sarah Rachedi and Giuseppe Caggianese and Elisabetta Gragnano and Luigi Gallo and Giuseppe De Pietro and Maurizio Guida and Antonio Giordano and Andrea Chirico},

doi = {10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2021039986},

issn = {1045-4403},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

urldate = {2023-05-10},

journal = {Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression},

volume = {32},

number = {2},

pages = {61--89},

abstract = {The aim of the study was to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of non-invasive and non-pharmacological techniques on labor first-stage pain intensity. Literature databases were searched from inception to May 2021, and research was expanded through the screening of previous systematic reviews. Inclusion criteria were: (1) population: women in first stage of labor; (2) intervention: non-pharmacological, non-invasive, or minimally invasive intrapartum analgesic techniques alternative and/or complementary to pharmacological analgesia; (3) comparison: routine intrapartum care or placebos; (4) outcomes: subjective pain intensity; and (5) study design: randomized controlled trial. Risk of bias of included studies was investigated, data analysis was performed using R version 3.5.1. Effect size was calculated as difference between the control and experimental groups at posttreatment in terms of mean pain score. A total of 63 studies were included, for a total of 6146 patients (3468 in the experimental groups and 2678 in the control groups). Techniques included were massage (n = 11), birth balls (n = 5) mind-body interventions (n = 8), heat application (n = 12), music therapy (n = 9), dance therapy (n = 2), acupressure (n = 16), and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) (n = 8). The present review found significant evidence in support of the use of complementary and alternative medicine for labor analgesia, and different methods showed different impact. However, more high-quality trials are needed.},

keywords = {Healthcare, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{caggianeseFreehandSteeringLocomotionTechniques2020,

title = {Freehand-Steering Locomotion Techniques for Immersive Virtual Environments: A Comparative Evaluation},

author = { Giuseppe Caggianese and Nicola Capece and Ugo Erra and Luigi Gallo and Michele Rinaldi},

doi = {10.1080/10447318.2020.1785151},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {International Journal of Human– Computer Interaction},

volume = {36},

number = {18},

pages = {1734--1755},

abstract = {Virtual reality has achieved significant popularity in recent years, and allowing users to move freely within an immersive virtual world has become an important factor critical to realize. The user's interactions are generally designed to increase the perceived realism, but the locomotion techniques and how these affect the user's task performance still represent an open issue, much discussed in the literature. In this article, we evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of, and user preferences relating to, freehand locomotion techniques designed for an immersive virtual environment performed through hand gestures tracked by a sensor placed in the egocentric position and experienced through a head-mounted display. Three freehand locomotion techniques have been implemented and compared with each other, and with a baseline technique based on a controller, through qualitative and quantitative measures. An extensive user study conducted with 60 subjects shows that the proposed methods have a performance comparable to the use of the controller, further revealing the users' preference for decoupling the locomotion in sub-tasks, even if this means renouncing precision and adapting the interaction to the possibilities of the tracker sensor.},

keywords = {Locomotion techniques, Natural User Interfaces, User study, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{chiricoVirtualRealityAssessment2020,

title = {Virtual Reality for the Assessment of Everyday Cognitive Functions in Older Adults: An Evaluation of the Virtual Reality Action Test and Two Interaction Devices in a 91-Year-Old Woman},

author = { Andrea Chirico and Tania Giovannetti and Pietro Neroni and Stephanie Simone and Luigi Gallo and Federica Galli and Francesco Giancamilli and Marco Predazzi and Fabio Lucidi and Giuseppe De Pietro and Antonio Giordano},

doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00123},

issn = {1664-1078},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Psychology},

volume = {11},

pages = {123},

abstract = {Performance-based functional tests for the evaluation of daily living activities demonstrate strong psychometric properties and solve many of the limitations associated with self- and informant-report questionnaires. Virtual reality (VR) technology, which has gained interest as an effective medium for administering interventions in the context of healthcare, has the potential to minimize the time-demands associated with the administration and scoring of performance-based assessments. To date, efforts to develop VR systems for assessment of everyday function in older adults generally have relied on non-immersive systems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of an immersive VR environment for the assessment of everyday function in older adults. We present a detailed case report of an elderly woman who performed an everyday activity in an immersive VR context (Virtual Reality Action Test) with two different types of interaction devices (controller vs. sensor). VR performance was compared to performance of the same task with real objects outside of the VR system (Real Action Test). Comparisons were made on several dimensions, including (1) quality of task performance (e.g., order of task steps, errors, use and speed of hand movements); (2) subjective impression (e.g., attitudes), and (3) physiological markers of stress. Subjective impressions of performance with the different controllers also were compared for presence, cybersickness, and usability. Results showed that the participant was capable of using controllers and sensors to manipulate objects in a purposeful and goal-directed manner in the immersive VR paradigm. She performed the everyday task similarly across all conditions. She reported no cybersickness and even indicated that interactions in the VR environment were pleasant and relaxing. Thus, immersive VR is a feasible approach for function assessment even with older adults who might have very limited computer experience, no prior VR exposure, average educational experiences, and mild cognitive difficulties. Because of inherent limitations of single case reports (e.g., unknown generalizability, potential practice effects, etc.), group studies are needed to establish the full psychometric properties of the Virtual Reality Action Test.},

keywords = {Elderly, Healthcare, Monitoring, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{chiricoVirtualRealityMusic2020,

title = {Virtual Reality and Music Therapy as Distraction Interventions to Alleviate Anxiety and Improve Mood States in Breast Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy},

author = { Andrea Chirico and Patrizia Maiorano and Paola Indovina and Carla Milanese and Giovan Giacomo Giordano and Fabio Alivernini and Giovanni Iodice and Luigi Gallo and Giuseppe De Pietro and Fabio Lucidi and Gerardo} {Botti and Michelino De Laurentiis and Antonio Giordano},

doi = {10.1002/jcp.29422},

issn = {1097-4652},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Journal of cellular physiology},

volume = {235},

number = {6},

pages = {5353--5362},

abstract = {Psychological distress is a common consequence of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment and could further exacerbate therapy side effects. Interventions increasing treatment tolerance are crucial to improve both patients' quality of life and adherence to therapies. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an effective distraction tool for different medical procedures. Here, we assessed the efficacy of immersive and interactive VR in alleviating chemotherapy-related psychological distress in a cohort of Italian breast cancer patients, also comparing its effects with those of music therapy (MT). Thirty patients were included in the VR group, 30 in the MT group, and 34 in the control group, consisting of patients receiving standard care during chemotherapy. Our data suggest that both VR and MT are useful interventions for alleviating anxiety and for improving mood states in breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. Moreover, VR seems more effective than MT in relieving anxiety, depression, and fatigue.},

keywords = {Cancer, Chemotherapy, Healthcare, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{indovinaVirtualRealityDistraction2018,

title = {Virtual Reality as a Distraction Intervention to Relieve Pain and Distress During Medical Procedures: A Comprehensive Literature Review},

author = { Paola Indovina and Daniela Barone and Luigi Gallo and Andrea Chirico and Giuseppe De Pietro and Antonio Giordano},

issn = {0749-8047},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-01-01},

journal = {The Clinical Journal of Pain},

volume = {34},

number = {9},

abstract = {Objectives: This review aims to provide a framework for evaluating the utility of virtual reality (VR) as a distraction intervention to alleviate pain and distress during medical procedures. We first describe the theoretical bases underlying the VR analgesic and anxiolytic effects and define the main factors contributing to its efficacy, which largely emerged from studies on healthy volunteers. Then, we provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical trials using VR distraction during different medical procedures, such as burn injury treatments, chemotherapy, surgery, dental treatment, and other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Methods: A broad literature search was performed using as main terms ``virtual reality,'' ``distraction,'' and ``pain.'' No date limit was applied and all the retrieved studies on immersive VR distraction during medical procedures were selected. Results: VR has proven to be effective in reducing procedural pain, as almost invariably observed even in patients subjected to extremely painful procedures, such as patients with burn injuries undergoing wound care, and physical therapy. Moreover, VR seemed to decrease cancer-related symptoms in different settings, including during chemotherapy. Only mild and infrequent side effects were observed. Discussion: Despite these promising results, future long-term randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and evaluating not only self-report measures but also physiological variables are needed. Further studies are also required both to establish predictive factors to select patients who can benefit from VR distraction and to design hardware/software systems tailored to the specific needs of different patients and able to provide the greatest distraction at the lowest cost.},

keywords = {Chemotherapy, Healthcare, Pain, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{ciampiMiddlewareMechanismsInteraction2010,

title = {Middleware Mechanisms for Interaction Interoperability in Collaborative Virtual Environments},

author = { Mario Ciampi and Luigi Gallo and Antonio Coronato and Giuseppe De Pietro},

doi = {10.1504/IJAMC.2010.032141},

issn = {ISSN (Online): 1741-8003 - ISSN (Print): 1462-4613},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-01-01},

journal = {International Journal of Advanced Media and Communication},

volume = {2},

number = {4},

pages = {154--166},

abstract = {In this paper, we discuss interaction interoperability in Collaborative Virtual Environments (CVE), intended to mean the ability of two or more users to cooperate despite the heterogeneity of their interfaces. To allow such interoperability, rather than focusing on the de-coupling of input devices from interaction techniques and from interaction tasks, we suggest integrating interactive systems at higher level through an interface standardization. To achieve this aim, we propose: i) an architectural model able to handle differences in input devices and interaction tasks; ii) an agent-based middleware that provides basic components to integrate heterogeneous user interfaces. We also present a prototype of an agent-based middleware able to support developers in the interconnection of monolithic applications and we introduce tools and languages we have used to formalize the interaction tasks considered in the case study.},

keywords = {Interoperability, Middleware, Multi-agent systems, Natural User Interfaces, Virtual Reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{galloUserInterfaceVRready2010,

title = {A User Interface for VR-ready 3D Medical Imaging by off-the-Shelf Input Devices},

author = { Luigi Gallo and Aniello Minutolo and Giuseppe De Pietro},

doi = {10.1016/j.compbiomed.2010.01.006},

issn = {0010-4825},

year  = {2010},

date = {2010-01-01},

journal = {Computers in Biology and Medicine},

volume = {40},

number = {3},

pages = {350--358},

abstract = {The distinctiveness of clinical environments demands specific solutions in the design of both usable and practical user interfaces for 3D medical imaging. In this work, a novel user interface to provide a direct interaction in 3D space by off-the-shelf input devices is proposed. The interface, which has been implemented and integrated into an open-source medical image viewer, features a depth-enhanced mouse pointer and a novel rotation technique that uses the object's geometry as the rotation handle. The usability of the proposed approach is evaluated to show its effectiveness for use in professional 3D imaging applications.},

keywords = {Healthcare, Interaction techniques, Medical Imaging, Mouse, Natural User Interfaces, Pointing, Rotation, User study, Virtual Reality, Wiimote},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}