Li Ka, Yuan Xingzhu, Hu Yanjie, Zhang Weihua, Chen Yuwen, Hong Rui, Yang Jie
West China School of Nursing, Sichuan University/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
College of Computer Science, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2023 Jul;54(4):792-797. doi: 10.12182/20230760204.
To resolve the problem of the lack of sensory stimulation from the colors and aromas of food when patients are given enteral nutrition support by tube feeding or simple oral administration, an immersive virtual reality (VR) sham feeding device integrating audio, visual, and olfactory sense perceptions was developed independently and the usability of the device was tested.
Relying on the multidisciplinary cooperation of nursing, mechanical engineering, and computer science and using as a reference the characteristics of gastric tube and oxygen tube placement in clinical patients, we carried out 3D modeling and printing of the exterior framework of the odor box. Unity 3d.5.x, a mainstream virtual engine tool, was used to create scenarios. The device could create visual stimulation through 3 VR dining scenarios, 23 kinds of food, and comfortable dining environment. The sound of chewing was played to simulate the dining process and provide auditory stimulation. Through the independently researched and developed olfactory odor box, corresponding food aromas were sprayed out for olfactory stimulation. After the equipment prototype was created, 10 patients were recruited to perform users' subjective evaluation of the usability of the equipment.
A VR sham feeding device integrating audio-visual-olfactory stimulation was successfully developed. In the visual effect evaluation, all users commented that the vision was clear and unimpeded, and that the menu program could follow their rotation movement. Eight people considered the scenes to be rather realistic. In the auditory effect evaluation, all users stated that the volume of the sound was appropriate, and that they would hear a chewing sound being played when the food was approaching. In the olfactory effect evaluation, 9 people stated that they smelled the food aromas when the food was approaching, and that they thought the odor was real or partially real. On the whole, the equipment was convenient to use and all users thought that the equipment had clear presentation and could run stably and smoothly. No adverse reactions, such as dizziness, occurred in any users.
Successfully presenting visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli, the prototype device passed the subjective usability test. The prototype device effectively expands the application prospects of VR in the medical field. In the future, it will be applied to patient populations, including surgical patients, patients with eating disorders, obesity, and loss of appetite, and other patients who cannot take in food through their mouths. The prototype device provides new ideas for promoting enhanced recovery after surgery and improving patient experience.
为解决患者通过鼻饲或单纯口服方式接受肠内营养支持时，缺乏食物颜色和香气带来的感官刺激这一问题，自主研发了一种集成视听嗅感知的沉浸式虚拟现实（VR）假进食装置，并对该装置的可用性进行测试。
依托护理、机械工程和计算机科学的多学科合作，参考临床患者胃管和氧管置入的特点，对气味盒外部框架进行3D建模和打印。使用主流虚拟引擎工具Unity 3d.5.x创建场景。该装置可通过3种VR用餐场景、23种食物以及舒适的用餐环境产生视觉刺激。播放咀嚼声音以模拟用餐过程并提供听觉刺激。通过自主研发的嗅觉气味盒喷出相应食物香气以提供嗅觉刺激。设备原型制作完成后，招募10名患者对设备的可用性进行用户主观评价。
成功研发出一种集成视听嗅刺激的VR假进食装置。在视觉效果评价中，所有用户均表示视觉清晰无阻碍，菜单程序能跟随其旋转动作。8人认为场景较为逼真。在听觉效果评价中，所有用户均表示声音音量合适，食物靠近时能听到咀嚼声。在嗅觉效果评价中，9人表示食物靠近时闻到了食物香气，且认为气味真实或部分真实。总体而言，该设备使用方便，所有用户均认为设备呈现清晰，能稳定顺畅运行。所有用户均未出现头晕等不良反应。
该原型设备成功呈现了视觉、听觉和嗅觉刺激，通过了主观可用性测试。该原型设备有效拓展了VR在医疗领域的应用前景。未来，它将应用于包括外科手术患者、饮食失调患者、肥胖患者和食欲不振患者以及其他无法经口进食的患者群体。该原型设备为促进术后加速康复和改善患者体验提供了新思路。
