Virtual Reality Induced Symptoms and Effects: Concerns, Causes, Assessment & Mitigation

Abstract

The utilization of commercially available virtual reality (VR) environments has increased over the last decade. Motion sickness that is commonly reported while using VR devices is still prevalent and reported at a higher than acceptable rate. The virtual reality induced symptoms and effects (VRISE) are considered the largest barrier to widespread usage. Current measurement methods have uniform use across studies but are subjective and are not designed for VR. VRISE and other motion sickness symptom profiles are similar but not exactly the same. Common objective physiological and biomechanical as well as subjective perception measures correlated with VRISE should be used instead. Many physiological biomechanical and subjective changes evoked by VRISE have been identified. There is a great difficulty in claiming that these changes are directly caused by VRISE due to numerous other factors that are known to alter these variables resting states. Several theories exist regarding the causation of VRISE. Among these is the sensory conflict theory resulting from differences in expected and actual sensory input. Reducing these conflicts has been shown to decrease VRISE. User characteristics contributing to VRISE severity have shown inconsistent results. Guidelines of field of view (FOV), resolution, and frame rate have been developed to prevent VRISE. Motion-to-photons latency movement also contributes to these symptoms and effects. Intensity of content is positively correlated to VRISE, as is the speed of navigation and oscillatory displays. Duration of immersion shows greater VRISE, though adaptation has been shown to occur from multiple immersions. The duration of post immersion VRISE is related to user history of motion sickness and speed of onset. Cognitive changes from VRISE include decreased reaction time and eye hand coordination. Methods to lower VRISE have shown some success. Postural control presents a potential objective variable for predicting and monitoring VRISE intensity. Further research is needed to lower the rate of VRISE symptom occurrence as a limitation of use.