Adaptation to Cybersickness with Reduced Discomfort

Abstract

Cybersickness, or sickness induced by virtual reality (VR), negatively impacts the enjoyment and adoption of the technology. Cybersickness decreases across repeated VR exposure, known as adaptation. However, high sickness levels during adaptation may discourage some users from returning. Field of view (FOV) restriction reduces cybersickness by minimizing visual motion in the periphery, but also negatively affects the user’s visual experience. This study explored whether adaptation that occurs with FOV restriction generalizes to a full FOV experience. Participants played a VR game for up to 20 minutes. Those in the Repeated Exposure Condition played the same VR game on four separate days, experiencing FOV restriction during the first three days and no FOV restriction on the fourth day. Results indicated significant adaptation to cybersickness with FOV restriction (Days 1-3). Further, cybersickness on Day 4, without FOV restriction, was significantly lower than that of participants in the Single Exposure Condition, who experienced the game without FOV restriction only on one day. The current findings show that significant adaptation can occur while experiencing minimal cybersickness.