Quantifying the Effects of Working in VR for One Week

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Occupational Health
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Virtual Reality (VR) offers novel opportunities for knowledge work, but long-term usage effects are understudied.
• Extended work periods in VR are crucial for realizing its potential benefits.
• Current research lacks comprehensive data on the feasibility of prolonged VR work sessions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the effects of replacing a physical desktop environment with a VR-based one for a full work week.
• To assess the impact of a comparable VR setup on user experience and well-being.
• To identify current limitations and areas for improvement in VR work environments.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving participants working eight hours daily for five days in VR and a baseline physical desktop environment.
• Utilizing a VR setup designed for comparable experience to traditional desktop work.
• Collecting data across multiple measures to quantify the differences between the two environments.

Main Results:

• VR resulted in significantly lower ratings across most evaluated measures compared to the desktop environment.
• Concerning levels of simulator sickness, including migraine, nausea, and anxiety, were reported.
• Two participants discontinued the VR portion on the first day due to adverse effects.
• Usability ratings for the VR environment were below average.

Conclusions:

• Extended work in current VR systems leads to significant negative outcomes, including health and usability concerns.
• Despite initial challenges, there is evidence of gradual adaptation and overcoming discomfort among some participants.
• The study highlights critical shortcomings in current VR work technology and provides a foundation for future research and development.