Predicting vection and visually induced motion sickness based on spontaneous postural activity.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Factors
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Postural instability is linked to illusory self-motions (vection) and visually induced motion sickness (VIMS).
• Predicting susceptibility to vection and VIMS is crucial for virtual environment applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare traditional and Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA) measures of postural activity in predicting vection and VIMS.
• To investigate the utility of RQA-based postural measures as diagnostic tools.

Main Methods:

• Measured spontaneous center of foot pressure (CoP) fluctuations during quiet standing (eyes open/closed).
• Exposed participants to oscillating and smooth self-motion displays.
• Analyzed CoP data using traditional methods and RQA.

Main Results:

• Oscillating displays induced stronger vection and VIMS than smooth displays.
• RQA measures of postural activity were superior predictors of vection strength and VIMS.
• Lower CoP recurrence rates predicted higher vection and VIMS susceptibility.
• Vection strength correlated with RQA measures: determinism, entropy, and average diagonal line length.

Conclusions:

• RQA-based analysis of spontaneous postural activity effectively predicts vection and VIMS.
• These RQA measures can serve as diagnostic tools for identifying individuals' susceptibility to virtual environment stimuli.
• Understanding individual postural control may optimize virtual reality experiences.