Five core components of VR-based research has been identified that allows researchers to investigate behavioral, psychological, and social processes related to health and well-being. Collectively known as (DREAM)

-	Data Collection
-	Realism
-	Experimental Control
-	Adaptability
-	Mobility

Five key strengths of VR-based research

-	VR simulation of the senses: touch, smell, and taste are less well developed.
-	Flexible artificial intelligence programs for integration into VR experiences are not widespread or easily accessible.
-	Extremely costly. 

Limitations of VR-based research

Virtual Reality (VR) is being used at increasing rates to distract typically developing patients during medical procedures. There are findings that VR can effectively reduce pain and anxiety with few side effects. VR has been used successfully in patients with IDD during procedures like botulinum toxin injections (with and without nitrous oxide), venipuncture, casting, and postoperative pain management.

Virtual Reality as Pain Treatment in Individuals with IDD

Virtual reality is an emerging communication technology that has become a more readily available consumer product, thusly strengthening its potential as a research tool for health psychology.

Syracuse University

Cedarville University

VR is an overreaching term for a collection of computer hardware and software designed to immerse the individual user into an artificial environment, in which they view three-dimensional computer-generated images. While wearing this system, a user’s movements and orientation are tracked and fed back into the system to adapt the presentation of the virtual environment.

Virtual reality (VR)

Martingano, A. J., & Persky, S. (2021). Virtual reality expands the toolkit for conducting health psychology research. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 15(7). https://doi-org.libezproxy2.syr.edu/10.1111/spc3.12606

Virtual reality expands the toolkit for conducting health psychology research

Virtual Reality (VR) in health care

-	VR as an object of study
-	VR interventions
-	VR as a research tool

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