Field of view restriction and snap turning as cybersickness mitigation tools

Abstract

Multiple tools are available to reduce cybersickness (sickness caused by virtual reality), but past research has not investigated the combined effects of multiple mitigation tools. Field of view (FOV) restriction limits peripheral vision during self-motion, and ample evidence supports its effectiveness for reducing cybersickness. Snap turning involves discrete rotations of the user's perspective without presenting intermediate views, although reports on its effectiveness at reducing cybersickness are limited and equivocal. Both mitigation tools reduce the visual motion that can cause cybersickness. The current study (N = 226) investigated the individual and combined effects of FOV restriction and snap turning on cybersickness when playing a consumer virtual reality game. FOV restriction and snap turning in isolation reduced cybersickness compared to a control condition without mitigation tools. Yet, the combination of FOV restriction and snap turning did not further reduce cybersickness beyond the individual tools in isolation, and in some cases the combination of tools led to cybersickness similar to that in the no mitigation control. These results indicate that caution is warranted when combining multiple cybersickness mitigation tools, which can interact in unexpected ways.

Adaptation to Cybersickness with Reduced Discomfort

“…These results highlight a new method for adapting to cybersickness with minimal discomfort. The current work indicates that those using FOV restriction on Day 1 of the Repeated Exposure Condition experience significantly less cybersickness than the non-restricted FOV Single Exposure Condition, aligning with previous work [12], [17], [41], [42]. However, these significant findings are only present in the cybersickness measure of final FMS score and marginally so in ADS.…”

“…One promising method to reduce cybersickness is by reducing the field of view (FOV) while moving in VR [12], [17], [18], [20], [33], [35], [40], [41], [42]. FOV restriction has been presented in a variety of ways, including dynamic FOV reduction based on movement speed [41], reduction of only the horizontal FOV [18], and blurring of the periphery rather than complete removal [12].…”

“…Researchers have developed numerous methods to mitigate cybersickness (see [15], for a review of several methods). For example, blocking the visual periphery during selfmotion, herein referred to as field of view (FOV) restriction (also known as blinders, vignettes, or tunneling), reduces cybersickness [16], [17], [18]. Repeated exposure to VR also leads to reduced cybersickness over time, herein referred to as adaptation [1], [19], [20], [21].…”