Title
The effect of virtual reality simulation on police officers’ performance and recovery from a real-life surveillance task
Author
Binsch, O.
Oudejans, N.
van der Kuil, M.N.A.
Landman, A.
Smeets, M.M.J.
Leers, M.P.G.
Smit, A.S.
Publication year
2022
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) simulation tools, in combination with miniaturized sensor and geotechnology, represent an opportunity to prepare high-risk professionals better for uncertain situations. In the current study, we tested whether VR preparation for a police surveillance task leads to increased performance and decreased stress, workload, and a faster recuperation. Police officers (n = 46) were either prepared with a 3D interactive VR simulation of the venue, or received the standard preparation using a 2D paper-based map. Then, officers individually conducted a surveillance scenario during a real livemusic concert. Position tracking, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), salivary cortisol levels (SCL) and self-perceived stress were assessed. Results showed that police officers with the VR preparation made less direction changes when finding target locations, had lower HRV during the surveillance, and had lower SCL during their recuperation. These results indicate that VR preparation may increase police officers’ performance and improve their recovery.
Subject
Navigation
Stress
Workload
Recuperation
Heart ratevariability
Salivary cortisol
Police
Officers
Surveillance
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:824a74fc-f87c-4ca2-937d-50a1095a2b89
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-022-14110-5
TNO identifier
977999
Source
Multimedia Tools and Applications, Epub 4 November
Document type
article