The benchmark framework and exploratory study to investigate the feasibility of 360-degree video-based virtual reality to induce a full body illusion

The feeling of ownership of a virtual body has been a topic of interest in recent years. In order to observe the mechanisms involved in the perception of the body illusion and its manipulation, the use of virtual reality (VR) has been essential. Various technical VR set-ups have been adopted by different authors to induce the sense of embodiment. Recently, 360-degree technology camera emerged as an innovative instrument to generate an immersive experience, with positive results in terms of involvement with the scenario. The current study aims to test the feasibility of the 360-degree video-based VR to induce a full body illusion. To do this, we evaluated two different groups receiving different levels of immersion: a 3D immersive video and a 2D non-immersive video. Self-reported sense of embodiment and heart rate variability (HRV) measures were analyzed. The results of the embodiment questionnaire showed that the immersive condition can trigger a full body illusion, with significant differences between the 3D and 2D conditions (ownership: p = .003, agency: p = .000, location: p = .013, haptic sensation: p = .027). No difference was found on the Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences (RMSSD) index—the beat-to-beat variance of the heart rate—of the HRV measure (first 90 s: p = .168, last 90 s: p = .401). Based on these results, future studies are needed to investigate the 360-degree video-based VR technology as a medium to generate the sense of embodiment.