User Experiences With Fully Immersive Virtual Reality Applications in the Context of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences. A Scoping Review.

purposeThis scoping review aims to explore user experiences (UX) with fully immersive virtual reality (VR) applications in speech-language-hearing sciences (SLHS). It seeks to identify what feedback therapists and patients have provided when VR has been used in SLHS, what methods have been used to assess UX in this context, and what research gaps exist.

methodsThe review follows the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. It includes studies with licensed speech-language pathologists or harinterventions involve fully immersive VR applications where UX was evaluated. The search strategy included the databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycInfo, PsycArticles, and SpeechBITE.

resultsOf 580 identified unique articles, 16 were included, most of which focused on adult neurogenic or fluency disorders, with singular articles focusing on other SLHS-relevant disorders. The studies used various qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches to collect UX data, primarily through interviews and questionnaires. Results highlighted assessment methods and feedback for seven UX categories: visual, auditory, presence, emotional, technical, usefulness, and limitations.

conclusionsThe review found that VR applications for SLHS are still in early development, and UX is often not a primary focus. Reported user feedback is largely positive, especially regarding immersion and usability. The review highlights the need for using standardized UX assessment frameworks and increased interdisciplinary collaboration with experts in the field to improve the development of SLHS-relevant VR applications. Future research should focus on expanding UX evaluations and integrating more robust methodological tools. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on this subject Though some reviews exist on the use of VR in communication sciences and treatment, most of these include non- or semi-immersive VR applications. Fully immersive VR offers a much deeper user experience (UX) that can be valuable for therapeutic purposes. However, no reviews have specifically explored what is already known about this topic in the SLHS field. What this paper adds to existing knowledge This review systematically presents user perspectives of therapists and patients in the context of managing various communication disorders, as well as instruments used to assess UX. Many studies only assessed user experiences as a byproduct of feasibility testing or application development. Nevertheless, important insights regarding the challenges and opportunities of VR applications were gained. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? When developing or testing a VR application intended for therapeutic purposes, it is crucial to include the intended users, such as therapists, caregivers, and patients, in the process. Researchers should make use of knowledge gathered and experiences reported by others. This article provides a thorough overview of how fully immersive VR is perceived by these user groups and the feedback they provide.