A Cloud-Based Virtual Reality App for a Novel Telemindfulness Service: Rationale, Design and Feasibility Evaluation

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

One patient had a lower MAAS score (mean 2.3).

“Particular insight into the MAAS items revealed that one patient had a lower MAAS score (mean 2.3).”

May combine two claims.

Only patient 2 had an MMSE score less than 30; it was 19 when entering the program, 26 at midterm, and 29 when the program finished.

“Only one patient (patient 2) had an MMSE score less than 30; it was 19 when entering the program, but the cognitive score was 26 at midterm and 29 when the program finished.”

May combine two claims.

Employees demonstrated head movements in all directions up to ±15 degrees in session 5, but a week later were calmer (motion curve area smaller for 72% with motion up to ±10 degrees head rotation).

“It was an opposite result with the employees, who demonstrated head movements in all directions (up to ± 15 degrees) in session 5, but a week later were calmer (motion curve area smaller for 72% with motion up to ± 10 degrees head rotation).”

May combine two claims.

Patients agreed that the game was simple (score 4.6) and that the UI was not complex (score 4.4).

“The patients also agreed that the game was simple (score 4.6) and that UI was not complex (score 4.4), but they were not convinced whether the users should cooperate and interact with one another within the tasks (Figure 12).”

• Also stated in: § Discussion · plain

  “Patients found the novel technology rather easy to use and not too complex.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Occasionally, individuals had some difficulties in understanding the goals they were required to achieve.

“Occasionally, individuals had some difficulties in understanding the goals they were required to achieve.”

May combine two claims.

Head roll/tilt was of a larger scale only when movement exercises were requested, but most of the time such movements were within a small range (less than ±10 degrees).

“Roll/tilt of the head was of a larger scale only when movement exercises were requested from the participants (Figure 7, lower right), but most of the time such movements were within a small range (less than ±10 degrees).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Patients were not convinced whether users should cooperate and interact with one another within the tasks.

“The patients also agreed that the game was simple (score 4.6) and that UI was not complex (score 4.4), but they were not convinced whether the users should cooperate and interact with one another within the tasks (Figure 12).”

May combine two claims.

Mindfulness practice in the VR mountain view scenery was rather calm, with slight head rotation (less than ±10 degrees), which was weaker in session 3 than in session 2.

“The mindfulness practice in the VR mountain view scenery (Figure 8) was rather calm, with slight head rotation (less than ±10 degrees), which was weaker in session 3 than in session 2.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Only patient 1's MAAS score (2.3) deviated the most from the mean value.

“The results in Table 2 reveal that only patient 1’s score (MAAS=2.3) deviated the most from the mean value.”

May combine two claims.

Comparison of sessions 2 and 3 in the mountain view VE showed no differences for employees, but considerable reduction of high frequencies greater than 0.44 Hz for patients.

“Conversely, a comparison of sessions 2 and 3 in the mountain view VE did not show any differences for employees, yet considerable reduction of high frequencies greater than 0.44 Hz for patients (Figure 10, bottom).”

May combine two claims.

Despite the GearVR mobile phones having the highest display resolution currently available on the market, participants were not able to read the text of documents provided in the virtual room.

“In spite of the mobile phones used in the GearVR being the ones with the highest display resolution currently available on the market, the participants were not able to read the text of the documents provided in the virtual room.”

May combine two claims.

The overheating caused gradual loss of graphic detail and disrupted voice communication.

“The annoying consequences of the overheating were a gradual loss of graphic detail and disrupted voice communication.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Patient 1's SWLS score increased from 16 (slightly dissatisfied) to 21 (slightly satisfied).

“However, the patient’s SWLS score increased from 16 (slightly dissatisfied) to 21 (slightly satisfied).”

May combine two claims.

Employees reduced their motion curve area by 23% in session 6 compared to session 5, whereas patients increased their motion curve area by 17% in session 6.

“The employees reduced their motion curve area by 23% in session 6 compared to session 5, whereas the patients increased their motion curve area by 17% in session 6.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

During sitting in the virtual fireplace room, both employees and patients rotated their heads left and right to see the virtual fireplace, avatars of other participants, and the instructor/therapist's video session.

“During sitting in the virtual fireplace room (Figures 8 and 9, fireplace room), both groups—the employees and the patients—rotated their heads left and right to see the virtual fireplace, avatars of the other participants, and from time-to-time the instructor/therapist’s video session.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The employees' SWLS deviation was because one employee scored 21 (slightly satisfied).

“However, this deviation was because one employee scored 21 (slightly satisfied).”

May combine two claims.

The study revealed mobile phone overheating as a critical major weakness of the proposed system, a known issue of Samsung mobile phones.

“Furthermore, the study revealed how critical the major weakness could be of the proposed system: the mobile phone overheating, a known issue of the Samsung mobile phones [16].”

• cites [16] Reddit2015Overheating survey https://redd.it/3whm4kNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Both groups agreed that the system was not complex and was easy to use.

“They felt that the Web UI should allow more control options, but both groups agreed that the system was not complex and was easy to use.”

May combine two claims.

In session 7, patients demonstrated head rotation up to ±20 degrees and head tilt up to ±10 degrees.

“In session 7, they demonstrated head rotation (up to ± 20 degrees) and head tilt (up to ± 10 degrees).”

May combine two claims.

Employees' head rotation to observe the shore of the lake was present in session 1 and nearly absent in session 8.

“This scenery was obviously very attractive only in session 1, whereas at session 8, there was hardly any head rotation (Figure 8, Dooney Rock, green dotted line).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Employees rotated their heads left and right to observe the shore of the lake.

“In general, the employees rotated their heads left and right to observe the shore of the lake (Figure 8, Dooney Rock, blue solid line).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Head yaw rotations were of a larger scale (up to ±40 degrees).

“Consequently, the rotations of the head (yaw) were of a larger scale (up to ±40 degrees).”

May combine two claims.

Employees were generally satisfied with life (SWLS mean 27.3, SD 2.8), although their SWLS decreased slightly to a mean of 25.

“In general, the employees were satisfied with their life (SWLS mean 27.3, SD 2.8), despite their SWLS decreasing slightly to mean 25 (satisfied).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

Patients performed almost the same action in the mountain view as employees, with one exception: in session 2 they tilted (roll) their head mostly to the left.

“The patients (Figure 9, mountain view) performed almost the same action with one exception. In session 2, they also tilted (roll) their head mostly to the left.”

May combine two claims.

During the poem reading in session 5 at the virtual River Bonnet, almost all patients calmed down and some fell asleep for up to 2 minutes.

“The head movements during the poem reading in session 5 at the virtual River Bonnet revealed that almost all patients calmed down and some of them also fell asleep for up to 2 minutes (Figure 9, River Bonnet, blue line).”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The mindfulness instructor/employees agreed that the UI was not complex and was easy to use, but did not yet allow enough interventions and should have more options (control buttons) available.

“The mindfulness instructor/employees agreed that the UI was not complex, and was easy to use, but did not yet allow enough interventions and should have more options (control buttons) available (Figure 11).”

May combine two claims.

Detailed analysis of the scale items revealed that the patient with the lower MAAS score had improved memory function but still had difficulties focusing on the present.

“A detailed analysis of the scale items revealed that this patient had improved memory function, but still had difficulties focusing on the present.”

May combine two claims.

Employees were all slightly satisfied with their life except one participant, who was extremely satisfied.

“They were all slightly satisfied with their life except one participant, who was extremely satisfied with their life, according to the applied scale.”

May combine two claims.

One of the two participants resolved the problem with therapy, and the overall group score returned slightly above the initial level.

“One of them resolved this problem with the therapy and the overall group score returned slightly above the initial level.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Two patients had a slight decrease in MAAS at midterm.

“In particular, we also noticed that two patients had a slight decrease in MAAS at midterm, which was not surprising.”

May combine two claims.

Patients were often confused during the therapy and unsure of the success of the therapy.

“Patients were often confused during the therapy and unsure of the success of the therapy [24].”

• cites [24] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

This patient was the only one with a lower MAAS score at the end of the mindfulness program, although the patient still had a higher SWLS score advancing from slightly dissatisfied to slightly satisfied.

“This patient was also the only one with a lower MAAS score at the end of the mindfulness program, although the patient still had a higher SWLS score advancing from “slightly dissatisfied” to a “slightly satisfied” level.”

May combine two claims.

For patients, no difference was found in movements greater than 0.4 Hz during the body scan exercise in the Dooney Rock VE, but considerably more differences appeared when sitting in the fireplace room VE.

“By contrast, with the patient group we could not find any difference in movements greater than 0.4 Hz when doing the body scan exercise in the Dooney Rock VE, but considerably more differences appeared when sitting in the fireplace room VE.”

May combine two claims.

Our results suggest that patients with neurophysiological and/or neuropsychological disorders increased their head movement amplitudes when they took mindfulness training in the same environment for the second time, with amplitudes in the range of ±20 degrees, approximately half the movement range that employees had.

“Yet our results suggest that patients with neurophysiological and/or neuropsychological disorders increased their head movement amplitudes when they took mindfulness training in the same environment for the second time, although the amplitudes of the movements were in the range of ±20 degrees, approximately half the movement range that employees had.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Head movement measurements reflect participants' mindfulness, presence, or attention in the virtual environment.

May combine two claims.

Employees reduced their higher frequency (>0.3 Hz) movement between the first and last session of the body scan exercise in the Dooney Rock environment, whereas there were almost no differences in the movements in the mountain view VE.

“The employees reduced their higher frequency (>0.3 Hz) movement between the first and last session of the body scan exercise in the Dooney Rock environment, whereas there were almost no differences in the movements in the mountain view VE.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Participants could follow the photos and video, and the text was then read by the instructor.

“However, they could follow the photos and video and the text was then read by the instructor.”

May combine two claims.

The proposed technical solution for telemindfulness VR has proven to be easy to use and user friendly.

“The proposed technical solution for telemindfulness VR has proven to be easy to use and user friendly, and may become useful for remote mindfulness training for various groups of users: hospital patients with neuropsychotic disorders, employees of large enterprises who are not able to leave their offices, and people residing far from the centers where mindfulness is practiced within groups.”

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Mindfulness over time was related to a reduction in variable mood and stress in patients with cancer.

“The authors Brown and Ryan [2] reported that mindfulness over time was related to a reduction in variable mood and stress in patients with cancer.”

• cites [2] Brown, KW, 2003, J Pers Soc Psychol sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

The sense of "total immersion" created by VR is an emerging technology that may entirely replace mainstream videoconferencing techniques.

“The sense of “total immersion” created by virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology that may entirely replace mainstream videoconferencing techniques [13].”

• cites [13] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The MAAS was validated with college, community, and cancer patient samples and is considered a strong psychometric indicator.

“The MAAS was validated with college, community, and cancer patient samples [19] and is considered a strong psychometric indicator.”

• cites [19] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

At least half of those suffering from TBI experience chronic pain and/or sleep disorders, depression, and substance abuse.

“In addition, at least half of those suffering from TBI experience chronic pain and/or sleep disorders, depression, and substance abuse [7].”

• cites [7] Bedard, M, 2005, J Cogn RehabilNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

These technologies may fulfill patient expectations regarding anonymity and enhance presence.

“These technologies may fulfill patient expectations [14] regarding anonymity and enhance presence [15].”

• cites [14] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [15] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction has demonstrated that awareness of the mind, unconscious thoughts, feelings, and other emotions positively affect major physiological processes and thus decreases the level of stress-related disorders.

“Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction has demonstrated that awareness of the mind, unconscious thoughts, feelings, and other emotions positively affect major physiological processes and thus decreases the level of stress-related disorders [4-6].”

• cites [4] Kabat-Zinn, J, 1994, Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday LifeNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [5] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [6] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Modern diseases caused by stress and anxiety in the workplace are on the increase, but access to treatment and therapy is usually not possible during working hours.

“In addition, modern diseases caused by stress and anxiety in the workplace are on the increase, but access to treatment and therapy is usually not possible during working hours [10].”

• cites [10] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

With such a small sample size, it is too early to make any specific conclusions.

“With such a small sample size, it is too early to make any specific conclusions”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Mindfulness is an internationally recognized therapy that teaches self-awareness, maintaining own thoughts, sensations, feelings, emotions, and appreciation of your living environment.

“Mindfulness is an internationally recognized therapy that teaches self-awareness, maintaining own thoughts, sensations, feelings, emotions, and appreciation of your living environment [3].”

• cites [3] Kabat-ZinnJCenter for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society20142016-09-05MBSR 8-Week: How it works http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Participation in an 8-week mindfulness program was associated with changes in gray matter concentration in regions of the brain involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, self-referential processing, and perspective taking.

“The results obtained before and after the program suggested that participation in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course was associated with changes in gray matter concentration in the regions of the brain involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation, self-referential processing, and perspective taking.”

• cites [8] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Privacy, data security, shyness, and pride are among the most frequent reasons to avoid therapy if a mental disease or neuromuscular disorder is related to work or social status.

“Nowadays, privacy, data security, shyness, and pride are among the most frequent reasons to avoid therapy if a mental disease or neuromuscular disorder is related to work or social status [12].”

• cites [12] Rizzo, AA, 2008, Stud Health Technol InformNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Neural systems are modifiable networks and changes in the neural structure can occur in adults as a result of training.

“A review of the literature shows that neural systems are modifiable networks and changes in the neural structure can occur in adults as a result of training [8].”

• cites [8] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

The ReCoVR system allows remote interaction with other users residing thousands of miles away, requiring only a Wi-Fi/4G Internet connection and communication with the cloud server.

“The only requirement is a connection to Wi-Fi/4G Internet, plus communication with the cloud server allows remote interaction with other users residing thousands of miles away.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Kabat-Zinn designed an 8-week meditation course, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, which provides 2 hours of meditation in a group with additional homework.

“Kabat-Zinn [3] designed an 8-week meditation course, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, which provides 2 hours of meditation in a group with additional homework.”

• cites [3] Kabat-ZinnJCenter for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society20142016-09-05MBSR 8-Week: How it works http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Attention training is an important part of meditation and has proven to augment the ability to sustain attention.

“Attention training is an important part of meditation, and has proven to augment the ability to sustain attention [1].”

• cites [1] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The study was approved by the University Rehabilitation Institute's Ethics Committee and all participants signed written consent compliant with the Declaration of Helsinki and European Convention on Human Rights.

“The study was approved by the University Rehabilitation Institute’s Ethics Committee and all participants signed the written consent that is compliant with the Declaration of Helsinki and European Convention on Human Rights.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Group sessions were carried out in the hospital environment and under the supervision of the physician/psychologist.

“Group sessions were carried out in the hospital environment and under the supervision of the physician/psychologist.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Employees were more skeptical than patients and may not have had such high expectations as the participating patients.

“Much more skeptical were the group of employees, who may not have had such high expectations as the participating patients.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

Several theories have tried to explain the potent attentional focus as a consequence of movement and the benefits of mindfulness training on working memory.

“There have been several theories, as mentioned by Russell and Arcuri [31], trying to explain the potent attentional focus as a consequence of movement and the benefits of mindfulness training on working memory.”

• cites [31] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Practicing mindfulness with possible negative emotional events invoked actuation of specific brain regions associated with emotions.

“It was also reported that practicing mindfulness with possible negative emotional events invoked actuation of specific brain regions associated with emotions [29].”

• cites [29] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

Some often-applied mindfulness instructions invoke contemplative or mindful movements.

“Some of the often-applied mindfulness instructions also invoke contemplative or mindful movements [31].”

• cites [31] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

The promising results at the end of the proposed mindfulness program may indicate reduced subjective pain and changes in the brain.

“These promising results at the end of the proposed mindfulness program may indicate reduced subjective pain and changes in the brain [25-27].”

• cites [25] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [26] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites [27] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The MAAS score dropped at midterm because two participants seemed preoccupied with their future or job.

“The MAAS score dropped in the midterm, due to two participants seeming to be preoccupied with their future or job.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

The study had limitations including several interactions between meditation training and order effect.

“However, the authors were also aware of the limitations: several interactions between meditation training and order effect.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

A group attending mindfulness sessions showed increased activation in prefrontal regions as identified by functional MRI and attenuated their emotional arousals more easily compared to a control group.

“The authors reported that the group, in attending mindfulness sessions, showed increased activation in prefrontal regions as identified by functional MRI and, therefore, this group attenuated their emotional arousals more easily compared to the control group [1].”

• cites [1] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

The explanation for the differences could be that patients were more instruction dependent than employees, who after their first relaxation sessions became calm and less interested in the VE.

“The explanation for these differences could be that patients were more instruction dependent, especially awareness of sensation and awareness of the present moment [31], than employees, who after their first relaxation sessions became calm and less interested in the VE.”

• cites [31] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Head movement measurements reflect participants' mindfulness, presence, or attention in the virtual environment.

May combine two claims.

These findings may suggest that the VE can be more effective for patients and 360-degree video for intact persons with mild psychotic problems.

“These findings may suggest that the VE can be more effective for patients and 360-degree video for intact persons with mild psychotic problems.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: Head movement measurements reflect participants' mindfulness, presence, or attention in the virtual environment.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Mindfulness training involves various interventions for helping people overcome their fears and neuropsychological disorders.

“Mindfulness training involves various interventions for helping people to overcome their fears and neuropsychological disorders.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

Similar findings on functional reorganization of the brain for focused attention by meditation-related practice were reported by Manna et al.

“Similar findings on functional reorganization of the brain for focused attention by meditation-related practice were reported by Manna et al [26].”

• cites [26] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

May combine two claims.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction results in positive effects on psychological well-being and causes changes in gray matter density in certain brain regions; consequently, learning, emotion regulation, and self-respect may improve.

“For example, the most popular mindfulness program, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, results in positive effects on psychological well-being and causes changes in the gray matter density in certain regions of the brain. Consequently, the learning process, emotion regulation, and self-respect may improve [8].”

• cites [8] sourceNot checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.