Output details
13 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials
University of Birmingham : A - Electronic, Electrical and computer engineering
Can Natural and Virtual Environments Be Used To Promote Improved Human Health and Wellbeing?
Collaborating with the European Centre for Environment & Human Health, this paper critically assesses early research supporting the development of a unique line of virtual environments (VEs) for healthcare applications. The research hypothesises that high-fidelity VEs depicting natural scenes can, using appropriate interface technologies, achieve positive outcomes in post-operative rehabilitation, similar to those historically reported with patients having visual access to real-world scenery. The paper has stimulated Royal Centre for Defence Medicine sponsorship for further research in collaboration with trauma specialists at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital and was the focus of a Nature online video feature in August 2011.