Signal or Noise? How User Movement and Sensor Placement Impact Physiological Data Collection in 6DoF Virtual Reality

Area of Science:

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Biomedical Engineering
• Virtual Reality

Background:

• Virtual Reality (VR) user experience research increasingly utilizes physiological data like electrocardiograms (ECG) and electrodermal activity (EDA).
• User movements in 6-Degrees-of-Freedom (6DoF) VR can introduce significant noise into physiological signals, compromising data usability.
• Lack of research on sensor placement and movement effects hinders effective physiological data collection in VR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of sensor positions and user movements on the signal quality of EDA and ECG in 6DoF VR.
• To assess user comfort and intrusiveness associated with different sensor placements.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for optimizing physiological data acquisition in VR environments.

Main Methods:

• A user study involving 36 participants was conducted in a 6DoF VR setting.
• Three positions for EDA sensors and two positions for ECG sensors were evaluated.
• Participants performed five distinct gestures while wearing the sensors; signal quality, comfort, and intrusiveness were recorded.

Main Results:

• Palm placement for EDA sensors demonstrated the best combination of signal quality and user comfort.
• ECG sensors yielded better signal quality when positioned closer to the heart.
• Hand closure and arm movements negatively impacted signal quality for both ECG and EDA sensors, particularly when sensors were located on the hand.

Conclusions:

• Sensor positioning significantly influences the quality and usability of physiological data in VR.
• Specific movements, such as hand closure, pose challenges for accurate physiological signal capture in VR.
• Recommendations are provided for optimal EDA and ECG sensor placement to improve data reliability and user experience in 6DoF VR.