Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40949345›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in psychology2025

The neural impact of editing on viewer narrative cognition in virtual reality films: eye-tracking insights into neural mechanisms.

Qiaoling Zou, Wanyu Zheng, Zishun Su, Li Zhang, Ziqing Zhuo, Dongning Li

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Rethinking Naturalistic Movie Neuroimaging Through Film Form.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Qiaoling ZouSchool of Design, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
Wanyu ZhengSchool of Digital Technology & Innovation Design, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
Zishun SuSchool of Art Design, Shanghai Business School, Shanghai, China.
Li ZhangSchool of Digital Technology & Innovation Design, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
Ziqing ZhuoSchool of Art, Wuxi Taihu University, Wuxi, China.
Dongning LiSchool of Digital Technology & Innovation Design, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: The development of virtual reality (VR) films requires novel editing strategies to optimize narrative cognition in immersive environments. While traditional film editing guides attention through controlled sequences of shots, the interactive nature of VR disrupts linear storytelling, challenging creators to balance emotional experience and spatial coherence. By combining eye-tracking technology with neuroscientific findings, this study aims to investigate how different editing techniques in virtual reality (VR) films affect viewers' narrative cognition, focusing on visual attention, emotional experience and cognitive load, and to optimize VR film editing strategies through a neurocognitive lens. Methods: A controlled experiment with 42 participants was conducted using three versions of a VR movie: an unedited movie, a hard cut edited movie, and a dissolve-transition edited movie. Eye-tracking metrics were recorded using the HTC Vive Pro Eye headset, and emotional experiences were assessed using post-viewing questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS and visualized using heat maps and trajectory maps. Results: The unedited movie (F1) elicited the highest visual attention (TDF: Discussion: Unedited VR films promote emotional coherence driven by the amygdala and maintain attention stability mediated by the prefrontal cortex, which enhances immersive narrative cognition. In contrast, editing techniques prioritize cognitive efficiency at the expense of emotional experience. To maintain immersion, filmmakers should focus on seamless transitions, while strategically using edits to direct attention in the complex 360° environment of VR. These findings contribute to neurocinematic theory by connecting the neural dynamics induced by editing with behavioral outcomes, offering practical insights for VR content creation.

Indexed as

eye-tracking technologyfilm editingnarrative cognitionneurocinematicsvirtual realityvisual behavior

Identifiers

PMID40949345
PMCPMC12425892

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.