EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF VALENCE AND AROUSAL ON PAIN PERCEPTION USING VIRTUAL REALITY MOOD INDUCTION

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Porter, A. (2014). EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF VALENCE AND AROUSAL ON PAIN PERCEPTION USING VIRTUAL REALITY MOOD INDUCTION. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Author

Porter, Anne

Title

EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF VALENCE AND AROUSAL ON PAIN PERCEPTION USING VIRTUAL REALITY MOOD INDUCTION

Physical Description

1 online resource (45 pages) : PDF

Date

2014

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) distraction has successfully decreased chronic and acute pain perception in clinical and experimental settings, but the precise elements of VR that optimize distraction have not been fully explored. Research has suggested that increasing "presence" can diminish pain reports. The current literature has used head mounted displays (HMD) to increase presence, but HMDs are costly and their effects on pain and presence are inconclusive across VR studies. Mood induction with a VR could be a more effective, inexpensive way to increase presence and optimize VR distraction benefits. The first study developed and tested the validity of four experimental VR mood induction conditions manipulating emotional valence and arousal, and examined the effect of the four conditions on heart rate and heart rate variability. Self-report ratings of valence and arousal showed the conditions induced the intended emotions. There were no differences in heart rate measures across the conditions. The second study compared pain intensity and unpleasantness ratings across the four VR conditions and a baseline control. There were no differences in pain intensity ratings, but there were significant differences in pain unpleasantness ratings across conditions. A calm background environment seemed to have the most beneficial effect on pain unpleasantness. Possible methods and protocols to increase pain intensity measurement validity are discussed.

Genre

masters theses

Subjects--Topics

Computer science
Psychology

Degree

M.A.

Keywords

Emotions
Mood Induction
Pain
Video Game
Virtual Reality

Subject Area

Psychology

Advisor(s)

Goolkasian, Paula

Committee Members

Faust, Mark
Wilson, Dale-Marie

Degree Note

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2014.

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This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). For additional information, see http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/.

Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Porter_uncc_0694N_10652

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:714