Development of a software-tool to evaluate the tolerability of different VR-movement types

Abstract

Abstract Purpose In the last years the adoption of Virtual-Reality-Headsets (VRHMDs) has increased significantly in multiple fields including medical applications. While it has been shown that patients can benefit greatly from VR-based treatments, user discomfort remains a problem for VR. It is often manifested by a complex of symptoms classified as simulator sickness (SS). A variety of factors seem to be involved in the development of SS, with one of the biggest contributors being artificial movement (AM). However, isolating the effect AM has on the occurrence of SS proves to be difficult due to the number of other factors involved. One of the biggest distortion factors in this regard seems to be the type of content displayed to the user. It appears that traditional gaming content - which is often used - is especially problematic in this regard. Methods To reduce this bias, we developed a test software and used testing data from 111 participants to assess whether the software induces SS through the content displayed. Results The software provides multiple ways of movement in a VR-environment and shows no signs of triggering unwanted SS-Symptoms. Conclusions Our software can provide an evaluation basis for the effect of AM with minimal distortion caused by the displayed content and can be used to develop software less likely to cause SS and evaluate VR-Systems based on their likeliness to cause SS. Therefore, making VR based treatments more accessible to patients.