3D body scanning and healthcare applications

Developed largely for the clothing industry, 3D body-surface scanners are transforming our ability to accurately measure and visualize a person's body size, shape, and skin-surface area. Advancements in 3D whole-body scanning seem to offer even greater potential for healthcare applications

Integrating body scanning solutions into virtual dressing rooms

The world is entering its 4th Industrial Revolution, a new era of manufacturing characterized by ubiquitous digitization and computing. One industry to benefit and grow from this revolution is the fashion industry, in which Europe (and Italy in particular) has long maintained a global lead. To evolve with the changes in technology, we developed the IT- SHIRT project. In the context of this project, a key challenge relies on developing a virtual dressing room in which the final users (customers) can virtually try different clothes on their bodies. In this paper, we tackle the aforementioned issue by providing a critical analysis of the existing body scanning solutions, identifying their strengths and weaknesses towards their integration within the pipeline of virtual dressing rooms

An attentional control task reduces intrusive thoughts about smoking.

INTRODUCTION: Attentional control tasks such as body scanning and following isometric exercise instructions have been shown to reduce smoking cravings, apparently by reducing stress (Ussher, M., Cropley, M., Playle, S., Mohidin, R., & West, R. [2009]. Effect of isometric exercise and body scanning on cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction, 104, 1251-1257. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02605.x). Related work based upon elaborated intrusion theory (Kavanagh, D. J., Andrade, J., & May, J. [2005]. Imaginary relish and exquisite torture: The elaborated intrusion theory of desire. Psychological Review, 112, 446-467. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.112.2.446) has shown that similar tasks can reduce hungry participants' involuntary food-related thoughts (May, J., Andrade, J., Batey, H., Berry, L.-M., & Kavanagh, D. [2010]. Less food for thought: Impact of attentional instructions on intrusive thoughts about snack foods. Appetite, 55, 279-287. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2010.06.014). This study tests the effect of body scanning instructions upon smoking-related thoughts as well as craving. METHODS: Twenty-seven smokers took part in 2 counterbalanced sessions, on different days, having been asked to abstain from smoking for 2 hr. In each session, they followed audio instructions for three 10-min blocks during which their thoughts were probed 10 times. In the first and third blocks, they were instructed to let their mind wander; during the second block of the control session, they also let their mind wander, but in the experimental session, they followed body scanning instructions. "Smoking thought frequency" was assessed using thought probes; "Craving" was measured using Factor 1 of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (Tiffany, S. T., & Drobes, D. J. [1991]. The development and initial validation of a questionnaire on smoking urges. British Journal of Addiction, 86, 1467-1476. doi:10.1111/j.1360-0443.1991.tb01732.x). RESULTS: Participants reported fewer smoking-related thoughts and lower smoking cravings in the body scanning block of the experimental session, whereas they rose in the comparable mind-wandering block of the control session. The reduction in thoughts during the body scanning correlated with the corresponding reduction in craving. CONCLUSIONS: Body scanning reduces cravings and reduces the frequency or shortens the duration of smoking thoughts. Attentional control strategies may form a useful part of smoking cessation practices

Brief guided imagery and body scanning interventions reduce food cravings

mindfulness cognition food intrusive thoughts acceptance eatingElaborated Intrusion (EI) Theory proposes that cravings occur when involuntary thoughts about food are elaborated; a key part of elaboration is affectively-charged imagery. Craving can be weakened by working memory tasks that block imagery. EI Theory predicts that cravings should also be reduced by preventing involuntary thoughts being elaborated in the first place. Research has found that imagery techniques such as body scanning and guided imagery can reduce the occurrence of food thoughts. This study tested the prediction that these techniques also reduce craving. We asked participants to abstain from food overnight, and then to carry out 10 minutes of body scanning, guided imagery, or a control mind wandering task. They rated their craving at ten points during the task on a single item measure, and before and after the task using the Craving Experience Questionnaire. While craving rose during the task for the mind wandering group, neither the guided imagery nor body scanning group showed an increase. These effects were not detected by the CEQ, suggesting that they are only present during the competing task. As they require no devices or materials and are unobtrusive, brief guided imagery strategies might form useful components of weight loss programmes that attempt to address cravings

Consumers\u27 Preferred Body Scanning Technology: A Comparison

Poor fit of apparel products has been troublesome for both the consumers and manufacturers for many years. The acquisition of a correct set of body measurements is crucially important for achieving proper fitting apparel. Three-dimensional body scanning technology has been recognized as a promising alternative to the traditional measuring tape method of obtaining body measurements. Three-dimensional body scanners are quick, efficient, highly reproducible, and largely free of error related to human intervention. The purpose of this study was to investigate consumers’ preferred type of body scanning technology. Three types of body scanners (traditional body scanner, suit-based body scanner, and mobile-based body scanner) were compared using the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989) as the theoretical framework. Consumers’ perception on usefulness and ease of use were compared among the three scanner types. An online survey was administered using Qualtrics® software for data collection. Data included 382 responses, out of which only 220 were valid. Data was analyzed using SAS® software to test formulated hypotheses. Findings indicated that participants’ perceived usefulness did not vary across the three types of body scanners, but the mobile-based body scanner was perceived to be easier to use than the traditional body scanner. The suit-based body scanner was perceived to be easier to use by men. Gender did not have any significant effect in the preference of the traditional and the suit-based body scanner, but gender was a significant source of variation in preference of the mobile-based body scanner

Garment patterns generating based on 3-D body scanning

2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

The Implications of 3D Body Scanning on State Self-Objectification

In this research, the researchers aimed to isolate the 3D body scanning process as a separate variable from viewing the avatar so that the implications of the 3D body scanning on body image and self-objectification may be better understood. The sample of 105 women completed a pretest, body scan, and post-test. The research team found that the process of being body scanned did not significantly change the participants\u27 state self-objectification scores. Demographic differences such as age, race, education, and socioeconomic status did not influence this finding. This finding is important, given that recent studies report that 3D body scanning can have detrimental effects on participants\u27 body satisfaction. This information may be useful for researchers who are concerned that the process of being 3D body scanned may have negative impacts on a participant\u27s state self-objectification

Future Practices and Technologies in Anthropometrics and Body Scanning

There have also been great strides in software development, to convert and manipulate 3D scan data, to make mannequins, lasts, patterns, tooling files, etc. The presenters invited to this special topic session are at the forefront of these research spaces, either through evaluating or utilizing these technologies for product design and developmen

Scan posture definition and hip girth measurement: the impact on clothing design and body scanning

Ergonomic measurement is central to product design and development; especially for body worn products and clothing. However, there is a large variation in measurement definitions, complicated by new body scanning technology that captures measurements in a posture different to traditional manual methods. Investigations of hip measurement definitions in current clothing measurement practices supports analysis of the effect of scan posture and hip measurement definition on the circumferences of the hip. Here, the hip girth is a key clothing measurement that is not defined in current body scanning measurement standards. Sixty-four participants were scanned in the standard scan posture of a [TC] 2 body scanner, and also in a natural posture similar to that of traditional manual measurement collection. Results indicate that scan posture affects hip girth circumferences, and that some current clothing measurement practices may not define the largest lower body circumference. Recommendations are made concerning how the hip is defined in measurement practice and within body scanning for clothing product development. Practitioner Summary: The hip girth is an important measurement in garment design, yet its measurement protocol is not currently defined. We demonstrate that body posture during body scanning affects hip circumferences, and that current clothing measurement practices may not define the largest lower body circumference. This paper also provides future measurement practice recommendations

Whole body scanning as a tool for clothing sizing: Effects on women’s body satisfaction

Whole-body scanning is increasingly used in the clothing industry, including in large-scale sizing surveys and virtual fitting. However, the impacts of 3D scanning on women’s body satisfaction are unclear as no previous studies have investigated impacts in a controlled experiment. This experiment investigated any causal effect of 3D whole-body scanning, as used in clothing applications, on women’s body satisfaction. Seventy women aged 18-35 years completed body image measures at baseline, immediately post-test, and two weeks later. At post-test relative to controls and controlling for baseline scores, women randomly allocated to the scanner condition scored significantly higher on Body Areas Satisfaction and significantly lower on Self-classified Weight, and positive effects persisted two weeks beyond the experimental session. Results suggest that whole-body scanning may improve women’s body satisfaction and reduce perceived overweight relative to controls, though further research is necessary to examine the reliability of this effect and underlying mechanisms