Towards an Objective Evaluation Layer: EEG-Based Assessment of Cognitive Engagement in AI-supported Immersive Cultural Heritage Experience

Authors

  • Tuğçe Ballı Department of Cybersecurity Engineering, Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus, Mersin 10, Türkiye
  • E. Fatih Yetkin Department of Management Information Systems, Kadir Has University, Istanbul, Türkiye

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55630/dipp.2026.16.17

Keywords:

EEG, Immersive VR, Cognitive Engagement, Neuroadaptive Systems, Cultural Heritage

Abstract

This study investigates EEG-based evaluation of immersive VR experiences using a publicly available dataset of 51 participants exposed to visual and audiovisual simulations of the Edzná Maya archaeological site. Frontal theta, occipital alpha, and engagement index (beta / (alpha + theta)) are examined as cognitive engagement markers. The findings provide a neurophysiological baseline for future neuroadaptive AI-driven heritage VR systems.

References

Alonso-Valerdi, L. M., Rosado-Aíza, J. P., Domínguez-Morales, F. J., Pech-Canul, T. Y., Vázquez-Rodríguez, P. G., Navas-Reascos, G., & Ibarra-Zárate, D. I. (2025). EEG data of museum visitors experiencing visual and audiovisual simulations of Edzná, an archaeological site in Mexico. Data in Brief, 61, Article 111855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2025.111855

Baceviciute, S., Terkildsen, T., & Makransky, G. (2021). Remediating learning from non-immersive to immersive media: Using EEG to investigate the effects of environmental embeddedness on reading in virtual reality. Computers & Education, 164, Article 104122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2020.104122

Bekele, M. K., Pierdicca, R., Frontoni, E., Malinverni, E. S., & Gain, J. (2018). A survey of augmented, virtual, and mixed reality for cultural heritage. Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage (JOCCH), 11(2), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1145/3145534

Choi, J. W., Kwon, H., Choi, J., Kaongoen, N., Hwang, C., Kim, M., Kim, B. H., & Jo, S. (2023). Neural applications using immersive virtual reality: A review on EEG studies. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering, 31, 1645–1658. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2023.3254551

Colucci Cante, L., Di Martino, B., Graziano, M., Branco, D., & Pezzullo, G. J. (2024). Automated storytelling technologies for cultural heritage. In International Conference on Emerging Internet, Data & Web Technologies (pp. 597–606). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-53555-0_57

Esteves, D., Valente, M., Bendor, S. E., Andrade, A., & Vourvopoulos, A. (2025). Identifying EEG biomarkers of sense of embodiment in virtual reality: Insights from spatio-spectral features. Frontiers in Neuroergonomics, 6, Article 1572851. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnrgo.2025.1572851

Gramouseni, F., Tzimourta, K. D., Angelidis, P., Giannakeas, N., & Tsipouras, M. G. (2023). Cognitive assessment based on electroencephalography analysis in virtual and augmented reality environments, using head mounted displays: A systematic review. Big Data and Cognitive Computing, 7(4), Article 163. https://doi.org/10.3390/bdcc7040163

Hofmann, S. M., Klotzsche, F., Mariola, A., Nikulin, V., Villringer, A., & Gaebler, M. (2021). Decoding subjective emotional arousal from EEG during an immersive virtual reality experience. eLife, 10, Article e64812. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.64812

Langiulli, N., Calbi, M., Sbravatti, V., Umiltà, M. A., & Gallese, V. (2023). The effect of surround sound on embodiment and sense of presence in cinematic experience: A behavioral and HD-EEG study. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 17, Article 1222472. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1222472

Petukhov, I. V., Glazyrin, A. E., Gorokhov, A. V., Steshina, L. A., & Tanryverdiev, I. O. (2020). Being present in a real or virtual world: An EEG study. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 136, Article 103977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.103977

Standen, B., Anderson, J., Sumich, A., & Heym, N. (2023). Effects of system- and media-driven immersive capabilities on presence and affective experience. Virtual Reality, 27, 371–384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10055-021-00579-2

Tadayyoni, H., Ramirez Campos, M. S., Quevedo, A. J. U., & Murphy, B. A. (2024). Biomarkers of immersion in virtual reality based on features extracted from the EEG signals: A machine learning approach. Brain Sciences, 14(5), Article 470. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14050470

Wang, Y. Y., Weng, T. H., Tsai, I. F., Kao, J. Y., & Chang, Y. S. (2023). Effects of virtual reality on creativity performance and perceived immersion: A study of brain waves. British Journal of Educational Technology, 54(2), 581–602. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13264

Downloads

Published

2026-09-05

How to Cite

Ballı, T., & Fatih Yetkin, E. (2026). Towards an Objective Evaluation Layer: EEG-Based Assessment of Cognitive Engagement in AI-supported Immersive Cultural Heritage Experience. Digital Presentation and Preservation of Cultural and Scientific Heritage, 16, 211-220. https://doi.org/10.55630/dipp.2026.16.17

Most read articles by the same author(s)