The present research investigates the effectiveness of using a telepresence system compared to a video conferencing system and the effectiveness of using two cameras compared to one camera for remote physical therapy. We used Telegie as our telepresence system, which allowed users to see an environment captured with RGBD cameras in 3D through a VR headset. Since both telepresence and the inclusion of a second camera provide users with additional spatial information, we examined this affordance within the relevant context of remote physical therapy. Our dyadic study across different time zones paired 11 physical therapists with 76 participants who took on the role of patients for a remote session. Our quantitative questionnaire data and qualitative interviews with therapists revealed several important findings. First, after controlling for individual differences between participants, using two cameras had a marginally significant positive effect on physical therapy assessment scores from therapists. Second, the spatial ability of patients was a strong predictor of therapist assessment. And third, the video clarity of remote communication systems mattered. Based on our findings, we offer several suggestions and insights towards the future use of telepresence systems for remote communication.

翻译：本研究探究了远程呈现系统相较于视频会议系统的有效性，以及使用双摄像头相较于单摄像头在远程物理治疗中的作用。我们采用Telegie作为远程呈现系统，该系统允许用户通过VR头显以三维方式观察由RGBD摄像头捕捉的环境。由于远程呈现与双摄像头的引入均能为用户提供额外的空间信息，我们在远程物理治疗的相关背景下对这一功能进行了检验。这项跨时区的成对研究将11名物理治疗师与76名担任患者角色的参与者配对，开展远程治疗会话。通过定量问卷数据及对治疗师的定性访谈，我们获得了几项重要发现：首先，在控制参与者个体差异后，使用双摄像头对治疗师的物理治疗评估得分产生了边缘显著的正向影响；其次，患者的空间能力是治疗师评估结果的有力预测因素；第三，远程通信系统的视频清晰度至关重要。基于研究发现，我们为远程呈现系统在未来远程通信中的应用提出了若干建议与见解。