{"id":80968,"date":"2026-09-22T02:56:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T23:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/?post_type=periform_news&#038;p=80968"},"modified":"2026-09-24T11:16:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T08:16:43","slug":"from-virtual-action-to-digital-health-periform-at-the-european-health-psychology-society-conference-ehps-2026","status":"publish","type":"periform_news","link":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/el\/periform\/news\/from-virtual-action-to-digital-health-periform-at-the-european-health-psychology-society-conference-ehps-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0391\u03c0\u03cc \u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03b5\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03b9\u03ba\u03ae \u03b4\u03c1\u03ac\u03c3\u03b7 \u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03bd \u03c8\u03b7\u03c6\u03b9\u03b1\u03ba\u03ae \u03c5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03b1: \u03a4\u03bf PERiFORM \u03c3\u03c4\u03bf \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03ad\u03b4\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u0395\u03c5\u03c1\u03c9\u03c0\u03b1\u03ca\u03ba\u03ae\u03c2 \u0395\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9\u03c1\u03b5\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 \u03a8\u03c5\u03c7\u03bf\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03a5\u03b3\u03b5\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 (EHPS 2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n  .periform-ehps-post,\n  .periform-ehps-post * {\n    box-sizing: border-box;\n  }\n\n  .periform-ehps-post {\n    width: 100%;\n    max-width: 1200px;\n    margin: 0 auto;\n    color: #181b21;\n    font-size: 18px;\n    line-height: 1.75;\n  }\n\n  .periform-ehps-post h2 {\n    margin: 0 0 30px;\n    color: #614098;\n    font-size: 32px;\n    font-weight: 800;\n    line-height: 1.3;\n    text-align: center;\n  }\n\n  .periform-ehps-post p {\n    margin: 0 0 20px;\n  }\n\n  .periform-ehps-question {\n    font-weight: 600;\n  }\n\n  .periform-inline-image {\n    display: block;\n    height: auto;\n    border-radius: 6px;\n  }\n\n  .periform-image-right {\n    float: right;\n    width: 42%;\n    max-width: 480px;\n    margin: 4px 0 22px 28px;\n  }\n\n  .periform-image-left {\n    float: left;\n    width: 40%;\n    max-width: 450px;\n    margin: 4px 28px 22px 0;\n  }\n\n  .periform-clear {\n    clear: both;\n  }\n\n  .periform-funding {\n    clear: both;\n    margin-top: 32px;\n  }\n\n  .periform-logos {\n    clear: both;\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: repeat(4, minmax(0, 1fr));\n    align-items: center;\n    gap: 28px;\n    margin-top: 36px;\n    padding: 24px 0;\n  }\n\n  .periform-logos img {\n    display: block;\n    width: 100%;\n    max-width: 210px;\n    max-height: 95px;\n    height: auto;\n    object-fit: contain;\n    margin: 0 auto;\n  }\n\n  .periform-disclaimer {\n    margin-top: 18px;\n    font-size: 13px;\n    line-height: 1.55;\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 767px) {\n    .periform-ehps-post {\n      font-size: 16px;\n      line-height: 1.7;\n    }\n\n    .periform-ehps-post h2 {\n      font-size: 26px;\n    }\n\n    .periform-image-right,\n    .periform-image-left {\n      float: none;\n      width: 100%;\n      max-width: 100%;\n      margin: 24px 0;\n    }\n\n    .periform-logos {\n      grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));\n      gap: 20px;\n    }\n  }\n\n  @media (max-width: 480px) {\n    .periform-logos {\n      grid-template-columns: 1fr;\n    }\n  }\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"periform-ehps-post\">\n\n\n\n  <p class=\"periform-ehps-question\">\n    How can findings from cognitive neuroscience contribute to the development of effective virtual-reality training and rehabilitation interventions?\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    This question connected PERiFORM with the 40th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS 2026), held in Pafos, Cyprus, from 1 to 4 September 2026. Under the theme <em>Digital Innovations in Health: Harnessing the Power of Technology and AI<\/em>, the conference explored how emerging technologies can be designed, evaluated, and translated into meaningful health applications.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"periform-inline-image periform-image-right\" src=\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img+q_cdnize+to_webp+s_webp\/www.uol.ac.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ehps_1.jpg\" alt=\"PERiFORM at EHPS 2026\">\n\n  <p>\n    Dr Christodoula Gavriel, Principal Investigator of the PERiFORM \u2013 <em>Pushing boundaries: Peripersonal space as a tool to improve sports performance<\/em> project, represented the University of Limassol and presented the poster <em>Remapping Peripersonal Space Through Tool-Based and Movement Training in Virtual Reality<\/em>. The presentation took place on 3rd of September during the \u201cRisk Factors and Consequences in Mental Health\u201d poster session.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    PERiFORM uses immersive virtual reality to investigate the plasticity of Peripersonal Space, the space immediately surrounding the body, and how different forms of training can modify body-centered spatial representations. Understanding these mechanisms can provide a scientific basis for designing future VR-based training and rehabilitation interventions.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"periform-clear\"><\/div>\n\n  <p>\n    The study presented at EHPS compared three types of training delivered in immersive virtual reality. Its findings showed that purposeful pulling with a virtual tool reliably expanded participants\u2019 peripersonal space, whereas torso and whole-body movement alone did not produce similarly reliable changes. The results indicate that the nature and goal of an action matter when designing activities intended to modify body-centered spatial representations.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    Presenting this work to the health-psychology community created an opportunity to explore its applied potential. Discussions around the poster considered how knowledge about perception, action, and bodily space could support structured VR training. They also addressed factors that are central to rehabilitation applications, including user engagement, adherence, task relevance, accessibility, and the transfer of training effects into everyday functioning.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    These themes were reflected across the scientific program. Presentations on the development and evaluation of digital interventions highlighted the different stages involved in translating a promising technology into a useful health application. Beyond demonstrating an effect, researchers need to understand whether users can engage with an intervention consistently and whether outcomes are maintained beyond the immediate training period.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    Sessions on just-in-time adaptive interventions offered particularly useful perspectives on personalization. These approaches use information about a person\u2019s behavior, needs, or circumstances to deliver support at an appropriate moment. Similar principles could inform future VR training programs in which content, difficulty, or frequency is adapted to the user\u2019s performance and progress.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"periform-inline-image periform-image-left\" src=\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img+q_cdnize+to_webp+s_webp\/www.uol.ac.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ehps_2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"PERiFORM at EHPS 2026\">\n\n  <p>\n    Research examining physical-activity interventions and their longer-term effects on walking also provided insights relevant to rehabilitation. These presentations highlighted the importance of assessing whether improvements are sustained over time and translate into functional outcomes. This perspective is valuable when considering how changes observed through VR training might eventually support performance or everyday movement.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    The experience of interacting with digital systems was another important area of discussion. The presentation <em>Tell Me Why: How Disclaimers for Smartphone Use Influence Well-Being Outcomes in VR Interactions<\/em> illustrated how information and contextual framing can influence people\u2019s responses to virtual experiences. Other presentations examined the progression from intending to use a digital tool to adopting it and ultimately achieving a health benefit. These contributions reinforced the value of designing immersive interventions around users&#8217; needs and experiences.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"periform-clear\"><\/div>\n\n  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"periform-inline-image periform-image-right\" src=\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img+q_cdnize+to_webp+s_webp\/www.uol.ac.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ehps_3.jpg\" alt=\"PERiFORM at EHPS 2026\">\n\n  <p>\n    Artificial intelligence was approached from a similarly human-centered perspective. The presentation <em>How AI Communication Style and Illness Severity Shape Patient Trust and Willingness to Use<\/em> showed how communication can affect trust and acceptance of a digital system. This broader principle also applies to immersive interventions: their purpose, operation, and expected benefits need to be communicated clearly if they are to become meaningful parts of training or rehabilitation.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"periform-clear\"><\/div>\n\n  <p>\n    Through the scientific sessions and conversations during the poster presentation, EHPS 2026 provided a valuable setting to consider how PERiFORM\u2019s experimental findings could inform future health-related applications. It enabled Dr Gavriel to share the project with researchers working in digital interventions, behavior change, physical activity, and rehabilitation, and to gather perspectives on the methodological and human factors that support effective translation.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    Participation in EHPS 2026 positioned PERiFORM at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, immersive technology, and digital health. By identifying how purposeful action in VR can modify body-centered spatial representations, the project provides knowledge to guide the future development of personalized training and rehabilitation approaches.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    Christodoula Gavriel, Irene Petrizzo, Ali Najm, Savvas Avraam, Marios Avraamides, and Kyriaki Mikellidou authored the poster and represent the University of Limassol, the Center for Mind\/Brain Sciences of the University of Trento, and the CYENS Center of Excellence.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p class=\"periform-funding\">\n    The PERiFORM project is implemented by the European Union within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme \u201cTHALIA 2021\u20132027\u201d, through the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus [Project No. POST-DOC\/0524\/0011].\n  <\/p>\n\n  <div class=\"periform-logos\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img+q_cdnize+to_webp+s_webp\/www.uol.ac.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/eu-en.jpg\" alt=\"Co-funded by the European Union\">\n\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img+q_cdnize+to_webp+s_webp\/www.uol.ac.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/roc.jpg\" alt=\"Republic of Cyprus\">\n\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img+q_cdnize+to_webp+s_webp\/www.uol.ac.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/rif.png\" alt=\"Research and Innovation Foundation\">\n\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/spcdn.shortpixel.ai\/spio\/ret_img+q_cdnize+to_webp+s_webp\/www.uol.ac.cy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/3.png\" alt=\"PERiFORM\">\n  <\/div>\n\n  <p class=\"periform-disclaimer\">\n    The project is implemented by the EU within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme \u201cTHALIA 2021-2027\u201d. [Pr. no. POST-DOC\/0524\/0011] through the Research and Innovation Foundation. The content reflects the views of the author(s) only. The European Commission and the Managing Authority of THALIA 2021\u20132027 cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How can findings from cognitive neuroscience contribute to the development of effective virtual-reality training and rehabilitation interventions? This question connected PERiFORM with the 40th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS 2026), held in Pafos, Cyprus, from 1 to 4 September 2026. Under the theme Digital Innovations in Health: Harnessing the Power of 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can findings from cognitive neuroscience contribute to the development of effective virtual-reality training and rehabilitation interventions? This question connected PERiFORM with the 40th Annual Conference of the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS 2026), held in Pafos, Cyprus, from 1 to 4 September 2026. Under the theme Digital Innovations in Health: Harnessing the Power of&hellip;","publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/periform_news\/80968","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/periform_news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/periform_news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/periform_news\/80968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80969,"href":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/periform_news\/80968\/revisions\/80969"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.uol.ac.cy\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}