Cybersickness is Not Simulator Sickness

Abstract

Factor analysis of a large number of motion sickness self-reports from exposure to military flight simulators revealed three separate clusters of symptoms. Based on this analysis a symptom profile emerged for simulators where Oculomotor symptoms predominated, followed by Nausea and least by Disorientation-like symptoms. Current users of virtual environment (VE) systems have also begun to report varying degrees of what they are calling cybersickness, which initially appeared to be similar to simulator sickness. We have found, after examination of eight experiments using different VE systems, that the profile of cybersickness is sufficiently different from simulator sickness — with Disorientation being the predominant symptom and Oculomotor the least. The total severity of cybersickness was also found to be approximately three times greater than that of simulator sickness. Perhaps these different strains of motion sickness may provide insight into the different causes of the two maladies.

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“…It is also often referred to as simulator sickness, or simply motion sickness (Stanney et al, 1997). The primary symptoms of cybersickness include disorientation, difficulty focusing, nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, vertigo, fatigue, headache, eye strain, increased salivation, sweating, stomach awareness, and burping (Kennedy et al, 1993).…”

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“…According to the categorisation of Stanney et al (1997) the severity of the experienced simulator sickness symptoms (SSQ total scores) indicate 'significant symptoms' and 'a bad simulator'. In the display comparison, the total score of the SSQ as well as the subscale scores of disorientation and oculomotor symptoms are significantly higher with the HMD than with the PDA with increments up to ca.…”

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“…As noted by Stanney et al (1997), there are arguably different "strains" of motion sickness that we need to understand for alternative VEs. Utilising the Kennedy et al (1993) questionnaire, authors have typically encountered higher incidence of oculomotor sickness symptoms (eyestrain, blurred vision, headaches, etc.…”