Virtual reality and associated technologies in disability research and intervention

Abstract

This paper concerns the application of virtual reality and associated technologies (VRAT) in the disability research and intervention field. By reviewing a 144 studies presented at the International Conference Series on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technologies (1996-2006), our analytic work examine the underlying conceptual frameworks of disability and methodological rationales used in selected papers. In the last 15 years, there was a paradigmatic shift from the medical to the biopsychosocial model of disability. Yet, our analyses indicate that such shift is not clearly reflected in the way VRAT have been addressing disability issues. The present manuscript offers recommendations regarding definition of goals, methodological procedures, and assessment rationales in order to stimulate discussions on how the use of VRAT can be improved in the field of disability research and practice