Evaluating the Alterations Induced by Virtual Reality in Cerebral Small-World Networks Using Graph Theory Analysis with Electroencephalography

Virtual reality (VR), a rapidly evolving technology that simulates three-dimensional virtual environments for users, has been proven to activate brain functions. However, the continuous alteration pattern of the functional small-world network in response to comprehensive three-dimensional stimulatio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Brain sciences Vol. 12; no. 12; p. 1630
Main Authors: Yang, Shan, Hwang, Hyeon-Sik, Zhu, Bao-Hua, Chen, Jian, Enkhzaya, Ganbold, Wang, Zhi-Ji, Kim, Eun-Seong, Kim, Nam-Young
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 28.11.2022
MDPI
Subjects:
betweenness centrality
Cognition & reasoning
Computer applications
EEG
Electrodes
Electroencephalography
Experiments
Games
graph theory
Physics
small-world networks
two-streams hypothesis
Virtual reality
Germany
electroencephalography
virtual reality
two-streams hypothesis
small-world networks
graph theory
betweenness centrality
ISSN:2076-3425, 2076-3425
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Virtual reality (VR), a rapidly evolving technology that simulates three-dimensional virtual environments for users, has been proven to activate brain functions. However, the continuous alteration pattern of the functional small-world network in response to comprehensive three-dimensional stimulation rather than realistic two-dimensional media stimuli requires further exploration. Here, we aimed to validate the effect of VR on the pathways and network parameters of a small-world organization and interpret its mechanism of action. Fourteen healthy volunteers were selected to complete missions in an immersive VR game. The changes in the functional network in six different frequency categories were analyzed using graph theory with electroencephalography data measured during the pre-, VR, and post-VR stages. The mutual information matrix revealed that interactions between the frontal and posterior areas and those within the frontal and occipital lobes were strengthened. Subsequently, the betweenness centrality (BC) analysis indicated more robust and extensive pathways among hubs. Furthermore, a specific lateralized channel (O1 or O2) increment in the BC was observed. Moreover, the network parameters improved simultaneously in local segregation, global segregation, and global integration. The overall topological improvements of small-world organizations were in high-frequency bands and exhibited some degree of sustainability.
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ISSN:2076-3425
2076-3425
DOI:10.3390/brainsci12121630