Immersive versus non-immersive virtual reality in driving simulation: effects on motor learning and implications for clinical practice Prospective interventional study

Details

Supervisors

Detrembleur, Christine ; Everard, Gauthier

Faculty

Faculté des sciences de la motricité

Degree label

Master [60] en kinésithérapie et réadaptation

Abstract

enBackground: the added value of immersive virtual reality (IVR) compared with non-immersive virtual reality (NIVR) for motor learning remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of immersion on task performance and motor learning during a driving simulation task and explored physiotherapists’ perceptions regarding its clinical applicability. Methods: twenty healthy participants and four physiotherapists completed a driving simulation (Gran Turismo Sport) under both IVR and NIVR conditions. Task performance was assessed through completion time, number of checkpoints collected, and a speed-accuracy trade-off (SAT) score. Motor learning was evaluated across three consecutive trials. Physiotherapists also participated in semi structured interviews. Results: IVR resulted in significantly higher checkpoint collection and SAT scores than NIVR, while completion time did not differ between conditions. Performance improved across trials in both conditions, indicating motor learning. However, no significant differences in learning gains were observed between IVR and NIVR. SAT improvements were significantly correlated across modalities (ρ = .534, ρ = .015). Physiotherapists perceived IVR as engaging and clinically relevant, while highlighting the need for greater adaptability and accessibility. Conclusions: IVR enhanced task performance, particularly in terms of accuracy and movement efficiency, but did not provide additional short-term motor learning benefits compared with NIVR. These findings suggest that immersion facilitates task execution rather than motor learning and supports the use of IVR as a complementary tool in physiotherapy.