Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sickness in Virtual Reality

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Advances in Virtual Reality and Anxiety Disorders

Part of the book series: Series in Anxiety and Related Disorders ((SARD))

Abstract

This book demonstrates the potential of VR in a number of contexts, and in particular, the treatment of anxiety disorders. However, since the 1990s, it has been observed that there may be some unintended consequences, or side effects, of using VR technologies in a variety of forms. This needs to be carefully considered if VR is to be widely implemented as a treatment or therapy—if there are unintended consequences, then users must be clearly informed of risks, and trained in methods to minimise their occurrence and prevalence; therapists must understand the indicators that suggest that a participant is experiencing side effects; and the system should be designed to limit negative effects, whilst not compromising the intended therapeutic effects of VR use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arns, L. L., & Cerney, M. M. (2005). The relationship between age and incidence of cybersickness among immersive environment users. In proceedings of the IEEE virtual reality conference, pp. 267–268.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailenson, J. N., & Yee, N. (2006). A longitudinal study, of task performance, head movements, subjective report, simulator sickness, and transformed social interaction in collaborative virtual environments. Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 15(6), 699–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benfari, R. C. (1964). Perceptual vertigo: A dimensional study. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 18, 633–639.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bigoin, N., Porte, J., Kurtiko, I., & Kavatli, M. (2007). Effects of depth cues on simulator sickness. Paper presented at the first international conference on immersive telecommunications, Verona, Italy.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonato, F., Bubka, A., & Paumisano, S. (2009). Combined pitch and roll and cybersickness in a virtual environment. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, 80(11), 941–945. doi:10.3357/Asem.2394.2009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonnet, C. T., Faugloire, E., Riley, M. A., Bardy, B. G., & Stoffregen, T. A. (2008). Self-induced motion sickness and body movement during passive restraint. Ecological Psychology, 20(2), 121–145. doi:10.1080/10407410801949289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bos, J. E., Bles, W., & Groen, E. L. (2008). A theory on visually induced motion sickness. Displays, 29(2), 47–57. doi:10.1016/j.displa.2007.09.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchard, S., St-Jacques, J., Renaud, P., & Wiederhold, B.K. (2009). Side effects of immersions in virtual reality for people suffering from anxiety disorders. Journal of Cybertherapy and Rehabilitation, 2(2), 127–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchard, S. Robillard, G., Renaud, P., & Bernier, F. (2011). Exploring new dimensions in the assessment of virtual reality induced side-effects. Journal of Computer and Information Technology, 1 (3), 20–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouchard, S., Robillard, G., & Renaud, P. (2007). Revising the factor structure of the simulator sickness questionnaire. Annual Review of Cybertherapy and Telemedicine, 5, 117–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouyer, L. J. G., & Watt, D. G. D. (1996). “Torso rotation” experiments. 1. Adaptation to motion sickness does not correlate with changes in VOR gain. Journal of Vestibular Research-Equilibrium & Orientation, 6(5), 367–375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burki-Cohen, J., Soja, N. N., & Longridge, T. (1998). Simulator platform motion-the need revisited. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 8(3), 293–317.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, G. E., & Donker, R. (2010). Evaluating the impact of head-up display complexity on peripheral detection performance: A driving simulator study. Advances in Transportation ­Studies, 22, 19–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, G. E., & Lee, K. (2005). The effect of vehicle navigation systems on the formation of cognitive maps traffic and transport psychology: Theory and application (pp. 407–418). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, G. E., Irune, A., & Mowforth, A. (2007). Driving simulator and validity: How important is it to use real car cabins? Advances in Transportation Studies, 13, 33–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, G. E., Millen, L., Lawson, G., & Pickering, C. (2010). Investigating design issues for the use of touchpad technology within vehicles. Advances in Transportation Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, S. V. G., & Nichols, S. C. (1998). Static posture tests for the assessment of postural ­instability after virtual environment use. Brain Research Bulletin, 47(5), 459–464.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, S. V. G., Nichols, S., Ramsey, A., & Wilson, J. R. (1999). Virtual reality-induced symptoms and effects (VRISE). Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 8(2), 169–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, S. V., & Sharkey, P. M. (2007). A decade of research and development in disability, virtual reality and associated technologies: Review of ICDVRAT 1996–2006. Retrieved from http://www.ijvr.org/issues/issue2-2007/6.pdf.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emoto, M., Sugawara, M., & Nojiri, Y. (2008). Viewing angle dependency of visually-induced motion sickness in viewing wide-field images by subjective and autonomic nervous indices. Displays, 29(2), 90–99. doi:10.1016/j.displa.2007.09.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, P., Nowakowski, C., Mayer, K., & Tsimhoni, O. (2003). Audio-visual system design recommendations from experience with the umtri driving simulator. Paper presented at the driving simulator conference North America. Dearborn, MI: Ford Motor Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Groen, E. L., & Bos, J. E. (2008). Simulator sickness depends on frequency of the simulator motion mismatch: An observation. Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 17(6), 584–593.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hettinger, L. J., & Riccio, G. E. (1992). Visually induced motion sickness in virtual environments. Presence:Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 1(3), 306–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, K., & Howarth, P. A. (2000). Habituation to the side effects of immersion in a virtual environment. Displays, 21(1), 25–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howarth, P. A., & Hodder, S. G. (2008). Characteristics of habituation to motion in a virtual environment. Displays, 29(2), 117–123. doi:10.1016/j.displa.2007.09.009.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaeger, B. K., & Mourant, R. R. (2001). Comparison of simulator sickness using static and dynamic walking simulators. Paper presented at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamson, H. (2001). Image characteristics and their effect on driving simulator validity. Paper presented at the International driving symposium on Human Factors in driver assessment, training and vehicle design, Iowa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, R. S., & Drexler, J. M. (1994). Methodological and measurement issues for identification of engineering features contributing to virtual reality sickness. Paper presented at the IMAGE VII conference, Tuscon, Arizona, 12–17 June 1994.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, R. S., & Fowlkes, J. E. (1992). Simulator sickness is polygenic and polysymptomatic: Implications for research. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 2(1), 23–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, R. S., Lane, M. E., Lilienthal, M. G., Berbaum, K. S., & Hettinger, L. J. (1992). Profile analysis of simulator sickness symptoms: Application to virtual environment systems. Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 1(3), 295–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, R. S., Lane, N. E., Berbaum, K. S., & Lilienthal, M. G. (1993). Simulator sickness questionnaire: An enhanced method for quantifying simulator sickness. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 3(3), 203–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, R. S., Massey, C. J., & Lilienthal, M. G. (1995). Incidences of fatigue and drowsiness reports from three dozen simulators: relevance for the sopite syndrome. Paper presented at the first workshop on simulation and interaction in virtual environments (SIVE ’95), University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kennedy, R. S., Stanney, K. M., & Dunlap, W. P. (2000). Duration and exposure to virtual environments: Sickness curves during and across sessions. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 9(5), 463–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuze, J., & Ukai, K. (2008). Subjective evaluation of visual fatigue caused by motion images. Displays, 29(2), 159–166. doi:10.1016/j.displa.2007.09.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lampton, D. R., Knerr, B. W., Goldberg, S. L., Bliss, J. P., Moshell, J. M., & Blau, B. S. (1994). The virtual environment performance assessment battery (VEPAB): Development and evaluation. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 3(2), 145–157.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, G.C.H., Yoo, Y., & Jones, S. (1997). Investigation of driving performance, vection, postural sway, and simulator sickness in a fixed-based driving simulator. Computers and Industrial Engineering, 33(3–4), 533–536.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin et al. (2002). Effects of field of view on presence, enjoyment, memory, and simulator sickness in a virtual environment. Paper presented at the IEEE virtual reality conference (VR 2002).

    Google Scholar 

  • McCauley, M. E., & Sharkey, T. J. (1992). Cybersickness: Perception of motion in virtual environments. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 1(3), 311–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGehee, D. V., Mazzae, E. N., Baldwin, G. H. S. (2000). Driver reaction time in crash avoidance research: validation of a driving simulator study on a test track. Paper presented at the XIVth triennial congress of the international ergonomics association (IEA).

    Google Scholar 

  • Merhi, O., Faugloire, E., Flanagan, M., & Stoffregen, T. A. (2007). Motion sickness, console video games, and head-mounted displays. Human Factors, 49(5), 920–934. doi:10.1518/001872007×230262.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Min, B. C., Chung, S. C., Min, Y. K., & Sakamoto, K. (2004). Psychophysiological evaluation of simulator sickness evoked by a graphic simulator. Applied Ergonomics, 35(6), 549–556.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mourant, R. R., & Thattachery, T. R. (2000). Simulator sickness in a virtual environments driving simulator. Paper presented at the IEA/HFES 2000 congress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mowforth, A. (2005). An investigation into the role of presence as a means of validating driving simulators. MSc information technology dissertation. University of Nottingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullen, N. W., Weaver, B., Riendeau, J. A., Morrison, L. E., & Bédard, M. (2010). Driving performance and susceptibility to simulator sickness: Are they related? American Journal of ­Occupational Therapy, 64(2), 288–295.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, S. (1999). Virtual reality induced symptoms and effects: Theoretical and methodological issues. Ph.D., University of Nottingham.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, S., & Patel, H. (2002). Health and safety implications of virtual reality: A review of empirical evidence. Applied Ergonomics, 33(3), 251–271. doi:Pii S0003-6870(02)00020-0.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, S., Cobb, S., & Wilson, J. R. (1997). Health and safety implications of virtual environments: Measurement issues. Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 6(6), 667–675.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, S., Haldane, C., & Wilson, J. R. (2000a). Measurement of presence and its consequences in virtual environments. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 52(3), 471–491.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nichols, S., Ramsey, A. D., Cobb, S., Neale, H., D’Cruz, M., & Wilson, J. R. (2000b). Incidence of virtual reality induced symptoms and effects (VRISE) in desktop and projection screen display systems. HSE Contract Research Report.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, K., & Burnett, G. E. (2008). Learning-oriented vehicle navigation systems: A preliminary investigation in a driving simulator. Paper presented at the ACM conference on Mobile Human-Computer Interaction, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, G. D., Allen, R. W., Fiorentino, D., Rosenthal, T. J., & Cook, M. L. (2006). Simulator sickness scores according to symptom susceptibility, age, and gender for an older driver assessment study. Paper presented at the human factors and ergonomics society annual meeting.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, J. R., Lim, D. W., Lee, S. Y., Lee, H. W., Choi, M. H., & Chung, S. C. (2008). Long-term study of simulator sickness: Differences in EEG response due to individual sensitivity. International Journal of Neuroscience, 118(6), 857–865. doi:10.1080/00207450701239459.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reason, J. T., & Brand, J. J. (1975). Motion sickness. San Diego: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reber, A. S. (1985). Dictionary of psychology. London: Penguin Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reed, M. P., & Green, P. A. (1999). Comparison of driving performance on-road and in a low-cost simulator using a concurrent telephone dialling task. Ergonomics, 42(8), 1015–1037.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Regan, E. C. (1994). Some human factors issues in immersive virtual reality. APRE Report 94R027, UK, Defence Research Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riccio, G. E., & Stoffregen, T. A. (1991). An ecological theory of motion sickness and postural instability. Ecological Psychology, 3(3), 195–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roe, C., Brown, T., & Watson, G. (2007). Factors associated with simulator sickness in a high-fidelity driving simulator. Paper presented at the driving simulator conference (DSC2007), Iowa City.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharples, S., Cobb, S., Moody, A., & Wilson, J. R. (2008). Virtual reality induced symptoms and effects (VRISE): Comparison of head mounted display (HMD), desktop and projection display systems. Displays, 29(2), 58–69. doi:10.1016/j.displa.2007.09.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slater, M. (2002). Presence and the sixth sense. Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 11(4), 435–439.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smart, L. J., Stoffregen, T. A., & Bardy, B. G. (2002). Visually induced motion sickness predicted by postural instability. Human Factors, 44(3), 451–465.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smither, J. A. A., Mouloua, M., & Kennedy, R. (2008). Reducing symptoms of visually induced motion sickness through perceptual training. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 18(4), 326–339. doi:10.1080/10508410802346921.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • So, R. H. Y., & Yuen, S. L. (2007). Comparing symptoms of visually induced motion sickness among viewers of four similar virtual environments with different color. In proceedings of the IEEE virtual reality conference, vol. 4563, pp. 386–391.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srinivasan, R., & Jovanis, P. P. (1997). Effect of in-vehicle route guidance systems on driver workload and choice of vehicle speed: Findings from a driving simulator experiment. In Y. I. Noy (Ed.), Ergonomics and safety of intelligent driver interfaces. Athens, Greece: LEA publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanney, K., M., Kennedy, R.M., & Drexler, J.M. (1997). Cybersickness is not simulator sickness. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 41(2), 1138–1142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanney, K. M., & Hash, P. (1998). Locus of user-initiated control in virtual environments: Influences on cybersickness. Presence-Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 7(5), 447–459.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanney, K. M., Kennedy, R. S. (2009). Simulation sickness. In D. A. Vincenzi, J. A. Wise, M. Mouloua, & P. A. Hancock (Eds.), Human factors in simulation and training. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stoffregen, T. A., & Riccio, G. E. (1991). An ecological critique of the sensory conflict theory of motion sickness. Ecological Psychology, 3(3), 159–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffregen, T. A., & Smart, L. J. (1998). Postural instability precedes motion sickness. Brain Research Bulletin, 47(5), 437–448.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stoffregen, T. A., Hettinger, L. J., Haas, M. W., Roe, M. M., & Smart, L. J. (2000). Postural instability and motion sickness in a fixed-base flight simulator. Human Factors, 42(3), 458–469.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sugita, N., Yoshizawa, M., Tanaka, A., Abe, K., Chiba, S., Yambe, T., et al. (2008). Quantitative evaluation of effects of visually-induced motion sickness based on causal coherence functions between blood pressure and heart rate. Displays, 29(2), 167–175. doi:10.1016/j.dispia.2007.09.017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suma, E. A., Finkelstein, S. L., Reid, M., Ulinski, A., & Hodges, L. F. (2009). Real walking increases simulator sickness in navigationally complex virtual environments. In proceedings of the IEEE virtual reality conference, pp 245–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teasdale, N., Lavallière, M., & Tremblay, M. (2009). Multiple exposition to a driving simulator reduces simulator symptoms for elderly drivers. Paper presented at the fifth international driving symposium on human factors in driver assessment, training and vehicle design, Big Sky, Montana.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ujike, H., Ukai, K., & Nihei, K. (2008). Survey on motion sickness-like symptoms provoked by viewing a video movie during junior high school class. Displays, 29(2), 81–89. doi:10.1016/j.displa.2007.09.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wald, J., & Taylor, S. (2003). Preliminary research on the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy to treat driving phobia. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 6(5), 459–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walshe, D., Lewis, E., O’Sullivan, K., & Kim, S. I. (2005). Virtually driving: Are the driving environments “Real Enough” for exposure therapy with accident victims? An explorative study. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 8(6), 532–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warwick-Evans, L., & Beaumont, S. (1995). An experimental evaluation of sensory conflict versus postural control theories of motion sickness. Ecological Psychology, 7(3), 163–179.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welch, R. B., & Sampanes, A. C. (2008). Adapting to virtual environments: Visual-motor skill acquisition versus perceptual recalibration. Displays, 29(2), 152–158. doi:10.1016/j.displa.2007.09.013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wesley, A. D., Sayer, T. D., & Tengler, S. (2005). Can Sea Bands be used to mitigate simulator sickness? Paper presented at the third international driving symposium on human factors in driver assessment, training and vehicle design, Park City, Utah.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiederhold, B. K., & Wiederhold, M. D. (2010). Virtual reality treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder due to motor vehicle accident. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 13(1), 21–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virtual Reality Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA

    Brenda K. Wiederhold

  2. Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, Québec, Canada

    Stéphane Bouchard

Authors
  1. Brenda K. Wiederhold
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stéphane Bouchard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brenda K. Wiederhold .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wiederhold, B., Bouchard, S. (2014). Sickness in Virtual Reality. In: Advances in Virtual Reality and Anxiety Disorders. Series in Anxiety and Related Disorders. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-8023-6_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation