A systematic literature review to unveil users objective reaction to virtual experiences: Complemented with a conceptual model (QoUX in VE)

2025-07-25

AI Summary

This study addresses the lack of a rigorous definition of user experience (UX) in virtual environments (VE) and the incompleteness of existing subjective assessment tools. To resolve these issues, we propose a novel UX conceptual model comprising 26 sub-dimensions and introduce the first “Quality-oriented User Experience” (QoUX) framework integrating this model. Through a systematic literature review—screening 1,743 publications to identify 66 empirical studies—and multimodal neurophysiological measurements (including EEG, ECG, and functional transcranial Doppler ultrasound), we empirically validate that objective neural responses effectively complement traditional subjective instruments, particularly in domains previously inaccessible to them. The work clarifies the core constituents of UX in VE and highlights the untapped potential of emerging neurophysiological metrics—especially cerebral blood flow dynamics measured via ultrasound—for quantifying immersive experience. This contributes both a scalable theoretical foundation and a methodological paradigm for next-generation UX research.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: User Experience and Usability
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Affective Computing
• Computer Vision: Low Level & Physics-based Vision

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Practical large-scale studies of user experience
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Virtualization and resource management in Web systems and infrastructures
• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Web data quality in the era of algorithmically-generated content

Abstract

In pursuit of documenting users Neurophysiological responses during experiencing virtual environments (VE), this systematic review presents a novel conceptual model of UX in VE. Searching across seven databases yielded to 1743 articles. Rigorous screenings, included only 66 articles. Notably, UX in VE lacks a consensus definition. Obviously, this UX has many unique sub-dimensions that are not mentioned in other products. The presented conceptual model contains 26 subdimensions which mostly not supported in previous subjective tools and questionnaires. While EEG and ECG were common, brain ultrasound, employed in one study, highlights the need for using neurophysiological assessments to comprehensively grasp immersive UX intricacies.

Problem

• Lack of consensus definition for UX in virtual environments
• Need to identify unique sub-dimensions of UX in VE
• Requirement for neurophysiological tools to assess immersive UX

Innovation

• Systematic review of neurophysiological responses in VE
• Novel conceptual model with 26 unique subdimensions
• Utilized EEG, ECG, and brain ultrasound assessments