NeuroVR 2--a free virtual reality platform for the assessment and treatment in behavioral health care

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2011:163:493-5.

Abstract

At MMVR 2007 we presented NeuroVR (http://www.neurovr.org) a free virtual reality platform based on open-source software. The software allows non-expert users to adapt the content of 14 pre-designed virtual environments to the specific needs of the clinical or experimental setting. Following the feedbacks of the 2000 users who downloaded the first versions (1 and 1.5), we developed a new version--NeuroVR 2 (http://www.neurovr2.org)--that improves the possibility for the therapist to enhance the patient's feeling of familiarity and intimacy with the virtual scene, by using external sounds, photos or videos. More, when running a simulation, the system offers a set of standard features that contribute to increase the realism of the simulated scene. These include collision detection to control movements in the environment, realistic walk-style motion, advanced lighting techniques for enhanced image quality, and streaming of video textures using alpha channel for transparency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Behavioral Medicine / methods*
  • Behavioral Symptoms / diagnosis*
  • Behavioral Symptoms / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Multimedia*
  • Software*
  • User-Computer Interface*