The XR Research Digest
@xrdigest.bsky.social
Daily insights from XR Research (https://buttondown.com/xrdigest/archive/)
Brain activity and flow during VR surgical training: Twenty urological surgeons performed robotic surgery tasks whilst EEG was monitored. High performers exhibited significantly higher theta activity, suggesting neurofeedback could enhance performance.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
November 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Brain activity and flow during VR surgical training: Twenty urological surgeons performed robotic surgery tasks whilst EEG was monitored. High performers exhibited significantly higher theta activity, suggesting neurofeedback could enhance performance.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
What happens in the brain when embodiment in VR breaks? New research looking at EEG recordings found that increasing avatar lag shifted brain activity from areas associated with motor preparation to those associated with cognitive processing.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
What happens in the brain when embodiment in VR breaks? New research looking at EEG recordings found that increasing avatar lag shifted brain activity from areas associated with motor preparation to those associated with cognitive processing.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ch...
Does VR golf measure real golf ability? 65 participants (golfers and non-golfers) completed a 12-hole VR test. Golfers performed significantly better than non-golfers, supporting broad construct validity, but current handicap didn't predict VR performance
doi.org/10.1007/s100...
doi.org/10.1007/s100...
November 16, 2025 at 11:55 AM
Does VR golf measure real golf ability? 65 participants (golfers and non-golfers) completed a 12-hole VR test. Golfers performed significantly better than non-golfers, supporting broad construct validity, but current handicap didn't predict VR performance
doi.org/10.1007/s100...
doi.org/10.1007/s100...
Will real audience members matter in VR concerts? New research had participants experience concerts with varying proportions of user-controlled vs scripted avatars. Presence and synchronisation was highest in conditions with more user-controlled avatars.
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
November 15, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Will real audience members matter in VR concerts? New research had participants experience concerts with varying proportions of user-controlled vs scripted avatars. Presence and synchronisation was highest in conditions with more user-controlled avatars.
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
Mini-maps in VR: new research comparing VR navigation with and without mini-maps has found whilst maps enhance navigation they also worsen cybersickness, especially for users with lower spatial ability.
doi.org/10.1080/1044...
doi.org/10.1080/1044...
November 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Mini-maps in VR: new research comparing VR navigation with and without mini-maps has found whilst maps enhance navigation they also worsen cybersickness, especially for users with lower spatial ability.
doi.org/10.1080/1044...
doi.org/10.1080/1044...
Desktop versus VR for collaborative sensemaking? Groups of four participants created mind maps using both VR and desktop systems. Users in VR engaged more in problem-solving, whilst desktop users focused more on organisation.
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Desktop versus VR for collaborative sensemaking? Groups of four participants created mind maps using both VR and desktop systems. Users in VR engaged more in problem-solving, whilst desktop users focused more on organisation.
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
How can VR change climate related food choices in adolescents? A field experiment across nine high schools has suggested that VR can help change attitudes and behaviour through tangibility, leading to psychological proximity which then encourages change.
doi.org/10.1080/1752...
doi.org/10.1080/1752...
November 12, 2025 at 7:17 PM
How can VR change climate related food choices in adolescents? A field experiment across nine high schools has suggested that VR can help change attitudes and behaviour through tangibility, leading to psychological proximity which then encourages change.
doi.org/10.1080/1752...
doi.org/10.1080/1752...
On the day that Google Gemini decided this is the very definition of XR Digest... Edition 32 is on its way.
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
November 12, 2025 at 12:10 PM
On the day that Google Gemini decided this is the very definition of XR Digest... Edition 32 is on its way.
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
Does the peak-end rule apply to body ownership in VR? Three studies manipulated visuomotor asynchrony timing during avatar embodiment. Late asynchrony decreased body-ownership judgements more than early asynchrony, supporting an end effect.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...
November 5, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Does the peak-end rule apply to body ownership in VR? Three studies manipulated visuomotor asynchrony timing during avatar embodiment. Late asynchrony decreased body-ownership judgements more than early asynchrony, supporting an end effect.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...
Self-dialogue in VR: does avatar age matter? New research had young women alternate between 'self' and 'other' avatars discussing stressful problems. Age-incongruent mature avatars led to higher perceived change importance, but only in the short-term.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
November 2, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Self-dialogue in VR: does avatar age matter? New research had young women alternate between 'self' and 'other' avatars discussing stressful problems. Age-incongruent mature avatars led to higher perceived change importance, but only in the short-term.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
If you can't stand, then swivel! New VR research tracked eye, head, and torso movement in 360° scenes whilst standing, sitting, or sitting in a swivel chair. Standing led to greatest coverage, as expected, but swivelling still approximated standing.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
November 2, 2025 at 11:55 AM
If you can't stand, then swivel! New VR research tracked eye, head, and torso movement in 360° scenes whilst standing, sitting, or sitting in a swivel chair. Standing led to greatest coverage, as expected, but swivelling still approximated standing.
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
doi.org/10.1371/jour...
A metaverse for good? Eighteen academics across 16 institutions have summarised the technical foundations and societal impacts of the metaverse, suggesting whilst potentially transformative, ethical and regulatory frameworks are essential.
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
November 1, 2025 at 9:10 AM
A metaverse for good? Eighteen academics across 16 institutions have summarised the technical foundations and societal impacts of the metaverse, suggesting whilst potentially transformative, ethical and regulatory frameworks are essential.
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
🤖 Computer says...yes. The latest XR Research Roundup is on the way to inboxes, and available here:
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
October 29, 2025 at 12:10 PM
🤖 Computer says...yes. The latest XR Research Roundup is on the way to inboxes, and available here:
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
Is VR always better than 2D videos (for exposure therapy)? A new randomised controlled trial compared VR with 2D video exposure therapy for fear of flying over 24 months. Both significantly reduced fear (p < .01), but VR showed no superiority on the chosen outcome measures.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ps...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ps...
October 27, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Is VR always better than 2D videos (for exposure therapy)? A new randomised controlled trial compared VR with 2D video exposure therapy for fear of flying over 24 months. Both significantly reduced fear (p < .01), but VR showed no superiority on the chosen outcome measures.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ps...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ps...
Can VR improve chemometric analysis? Researchers have used VR to visualise samples as 3D glyphs based on hundreds of similarity measurements. Human analysis of spectral data in VR safeguarded against the limitations of algorithms in detecting outliers.
doi.org/10.1002/cem....
doi.org/10.1002/cem....
October 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Can VR improve chemometric analysis? Researchers have used VR to visualise samples as 3D glyphs based on hundreds of similarity measurements. Human analysis of spectral data in VR safeguarded against the limitations of algorithms in detecting outliers.
doi.org/10.1002/cem....
doi.org/10.1002/cem....
Feeling nostalgic? Introducing virtual-reality induced nostalgia! Two experiments compared VR with traditional reflection tasks across five time points. It was found that VR could produce significantly stronger and more durable nostalgic feelings.
doi.org/10.3758/s134...
doi.org/10.3758/s134...
October 21, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Feeling nostalgic? Introducing virtual-reality induced nostalgia! Two experiments compared VR with traditional reflection tasks across five time points. It was found that VR could produce significantly stronger and more durable nostalgic feelings.
doi.org/10.3758/s134...
doi.org/10.3758/s134...
Unveiling extended reality: which industries lead XR adoption? New systematic review analysed 155 peer-reviewed studies from 2013–2023 using PRISMA guidelines. Healthcare, education, and manufacturing led adoption, with data visualisation and training emerging.
doi.org/10.1080/0953...
doi.org/10.1080/0953...
October 19, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Unveiling extended reality: which industries lead XR adoption? New systematic review analysed 155 peer-reviewed studies from 2013–2023 using PRISMA guidelines. Healthcare, education, and manufacturing led adoption, with data visualisation and training emerging.
doi.org/10.1080/0953...
doi.org/10.1080/0953...
How is it going? New research has explored the use of Social VR for student counselling. Qualitative findings indicate that students preferred VR over video conferencing for the feeling of presence, but counsellors missed eye contact.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
October 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
How is it going? New research has explored the use of Social VR for student counselling. Qualitative findings indicate that students preferred VR over video conferencing for the feeling of presence, but counsellors missed eye contact.
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
Please let me think! New research explores the use of conversational fillers with VR-based genAI to disguise latency issues. Verbal and non-verbal fillers were tested, with verbal fillers shortening perceived waiting times most effectively.
doi.org/10.1145/3716...
doi.org/10.1145/3716...
October 18, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Please let me think! New research explores the use of conversational fillers with VR-based genAI to disguise latency issues. Verbal and non-verbal fillers were tested, with verbal fillers shortening perceived waiting times most effectively.
doi.org/10.1145/3716...
doi.org/10.1145/3716...
Does avatar appearance and facial expression affect VR interaction? Participants communicated with a female avatar across three stylisation levels and expression intensities. Cartoonish/stylised avatars generated greater co-presence and trustworthiness.
doi.org/10.1007/s100...
doi.org/10.1007/s100...
October 15, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Does avatar appearance and facial expression affect VR interaction? Participants communicated with a female avatar across three stylisation levels and expression intensities. Cartoonish/stylised avatars generated greater co-presence and trustworthiness.
doi.org/10.1007/s100...
doi.org/10.1007/s100...
30 in and still going (just about).
The 30th XR Research Roundup is on its way to inboxes right now...💫
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
The 30th XR Research Roundup is on its way to inboxes right now...💫
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
October 15, 2025 at 11:10 AM
30 in and still going (just about).
The 30th XR Research Roundup is on its way to inboxes right now...💫
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
The 30th XR Research Roundup is on its way to inboxes right now...💫
buttondown.com/xrdigest/arc...
Locability: what is the best mechanism for locomotion in VR? Researchers have used data from 20 participants, with and without mobility issues, to develop a model that reliably predicts users' fastest techniques based on their ability (preprint).
doi.org/10.48550/arX...
doi.org/10.48550/arX...
October 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Locability: what is the best mechanism for locomotion in VR? Researchers have used data from 20 participants, with and without mobility issues, to develop a model that reliably predicts users' fastest techniques based on their ability (preprint).
doi.org/10.48550/arX...
doi.org/10.48550/arX...
Return of the virtual nose! Does a virtual nose in VR affect presence or odour perception? New research tested 22 participants in mixed reality. No effects were found adding to the growing evidence that virtual noses (sadly) do nothing.
www.researchgate.net/profile/Mart...
www.researchgate.net/profile/Mart...
October 11, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Return of the virtual nose! Does a virtual nose in VR affect presence or odour perception? New research tested 22 participants in mixed reality. No effects were found adding to the growing evidence that virtual noses (sadly) do nothing.
www.researchgate.net/profile/Mart...
www.researchgate.net/profile/Mart...
Can VR field trips enhance STEM learning? New qualitative data explores the experiences of 30 high school students across four lessons, suggesting VR impacted emotions and intrinsic motivation, but not longer-term attitudes and beliefs.
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
October 9, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Can VR field trips enhance STEM learning? New qualitative data explores the experiences of 30 high school students across four lessons, suggesting VR impacted emotions and intrinsic motivation, but not longer-term attitudes and beliefs.
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
doi.org/10.3389/frvi...
Do head-mounted displays always enhance immersion? Researchers tested 126 participants and found opposing effects: HMDs increased telepresence and interaction but also cybersickness and discomfort, suggesting these effects counterbalance each other.
doi.org/10.17705/1th...
doi.org/10.17705/1th...
October 7, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Do head-mounted displays always enhance immersion? Researchers tested 126 participants and found opposing effects: HMDs increased telepresence and interaction but also cybersickness and discomfort, suggesting these effects counterbalance each other.
doi.org/10.17705/1th...
doi.org/10.17705/1th...