Frequency characteristics of visually induced motion sickness

Area of Science:

• Human-computer interaction
• Virtual reality
• Vestibular system research

Background:

• Virtual environments and simulators can induce motion sickness, limiting system usability.
• Previous research suggested visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) peaks at 0.06 Hz.
• True motion sickness peaks at a higher frequency, around 0.2 Hz.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the frequency response of visually induced motion sickness (VIMS).
• To determine the peak frequency of VIMS for oscillating linear motion in the fore-and-aft axis.

Main Methods:

• 24 participants were exposed to simulated fore-and-aft oscillating motion using optical flow.
• Motion frequencies ranged from 0.025 Hz to 1.6 Hz.
• Visually induced motion sickness was assessed using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and a standard motion sickness scale.

Main Results:

• Visually induced motion sickness peaked at frequencies between 0.2 Hz and 0.4 Hz.
• Symptom severity decreased at frequencies below 0.2 Hz and above 0.4 Hz.

Conclusions:

• The "crossover frequency" hypothesis and prior design guidance are not applicable to purely visually induced motion sickness.
• Frequencies between 0.2 Hz and 0.4 Hz should be avoided in visual simulations of fore-and-aft motion to prevent VIMS.