Heart rate variability dynamics during virtual reality roller coaster experience: correlations with vestibular...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Human Physiology
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Virtual reality (VR) use is growing, but VR-induced motion sickness remains a significant challenge.
• The physiological underpinnings of VR motion sickness and individual differences in susceptibility are not fully understood.
• Investigating autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses and their connection to vestibular function is key to mitigating VR discomfort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize autonomic responses during visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.
• To explore correlations between vestibular function and an individual's susceptibility to VR-induced motion sickness.
• To identify potential physiological markers for VR-induced discomfort.

Main Methods:

• Thirty participants underwent photoplethysmography (PPG) for HRV analysis during baseline, VR exposure, and recovery.
• Participants completed motion sickness questionnaires and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing.
• Statistical analyses included mixed-design ANOVA for HRV and Pearson correlations for vestibular-autonomic relationships.

Main Results:

• VR exposure significantly increased heart rate and HRV parameters (SDNN, RMSSD), with subsequent decreases during recovery.
• Individuals with higher motion sickness susceptibility exhibited greater autonomic reactivity.
• Significant associations were found between VR symptoms, VEMP amplitudes, and vestibular-autonomic responses during VR exposure.

Conclusions:

• VR exposure elicits measurable autonomic responses.
• Autonomic reactivity during VR correlates with individual motion sickness susceptibility and vestibular function.
• HRV monitoring and vestibular assessments show promise as markers for VR-induced discomfort.