Cognition

Pros and Cons for users

Pro: If given training and time to learn, users with cognitive impairments can become proficient in virtual environments ¹
Pro: The vividness and synchronous interaction of virtual environments can allow users to focus their attention more effectively
Pro: Students who need more training and time can usually replicate learning artefacts and interactions
Pro: Virtual environments can be designed to support error-free training, which can assist cognitive disorders ²
Pro: The distraction offered by Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) has the potential to diminish pain perception amongst chronic and acute pain sufferers ³
Pro: Can allow users with Asperger's Syndrome to learn social skills that might be difficult to grasp in real life ¹
Con: The user interface may be difficult to learn
Con: Virtual world skills may be difficult to acquire
Con: Input devices such as wands, joysticks and 3D mice may be difficult to master ²
Con: Some users may experience vertigo
Con: Users may suffer from motion sickness, due to conflicts between sensory cues or between the virtual environment and what is felt by the body ²
Con: Users may experience disturbed motor skills after using virtual environments, due to a lag in readaptation to the real world environment ²
Con: Flashing or moving objects may cause seizures or migraines ¹

As a user with a photosensitive seizure disorder, I need to avoid three flashes in a second, so I do not have a seizure.
As a user with a cognitive impairment, I need training and time, so that I can learn the environment.
As a user with a disability, I need suggestions on how to fix input errors, so I can easily correct mistakes.

Learning in Virtual Worlds: Research and Applications

Citation: Gregory, S., Lee, M.J., Dalgarno, B. and Tynan, B. eds., 2016. Learning in Virtual Worlds: Research and Applications. Athabasca University Press.

Summary: contains an interesting chapter on (In)accessible learning in Virtual Worlds. Much of the conclusions are drawn from Second Life but are still relevant to other VR applications
A SWOT analysis of the field of virtual reality rehabilitation and therapy

Citation: Rizzo, A.A. and Kim, G.J., 2005. A SWOT analysis of the field of virtual reality rehabilitation and therapy. Presence, 14(2), pp.119-146.

Summary: Excellent overview focusing on the benefits of virtual reality for rehabilitation and therapy
A rapid evidence assessment of immersive virtual reality as an adjunct therapy in acute pain management in clinical practice

Citation: Garrett, B., Taverner, T., Masinde, W., Gromala, D., Shaw, C. and Negraeff, M., 2014. A rapid evidence assessment of immersive virtual reality as an adjunct therapy in acute pain management in clinical practice. The Clinical journal of pain, 30(12), pp.1089-1098.

Summary: Interesting discussion of the possibility for virtual reality to diminish pain perception by modulating interactions among different neurons