Autonomic physiological data associated with simulator discomfort

The development of a physiological monitoring capability for the Army's advanced helicopter simulator facility is reported. Additionally, preliminary physiological data is presented. Our objective was to demonstrate the sensitivity of physiological measures in this simulator to self-reported simulator sickness. The data suggested that heart period, hypergastria, and skin conductance level were more sensitive to simulator sickness than were vagal tone and normal electrogastric activity

Illusory self motion and simulator sickness

Presented here is a discussion of simulator sickness (with applications to motion sickness and space sickness) based on the notion of senses as perceptual systems, and the sensory conflict theory. Most forms of the sensory conflict theory unnecessarily propose the existence of a neural store. The neural store is thought to consist of a record of previous perceptual experiences against which currently experienced patterns of stimulation are compared. The authors seek to establish that in its most parsimonious form the sensory conflict theory does not require a construct such as the neural store. In its simpler form, the sensory conflict theory complements and extends Gibson's view of the senses as perceptual systems

Explaining Simulator Sickness

Subjects who participate in driving simulation experiments often experience symptoms similar to motion sickness, called “simulator sickness.” However, the exact cause of these symptoms is unknown, which makes it difficult to predict whether a subject will experience them, or to warn them of the likelihood of experiencing those symptoms. A possible relationship between motion sickness and simulator sickness has been conjectured, based on the similarity of the symptoms, but not proven. In this study, we examined whether subjects in CSU simulator experiments who reported a history of motion sickness were more likely to experience the symptoms of simulator sickness. We performed a meta-study of 6 CSU driving simulation experiments and compared subjects\u27 reports of past experiences with motion sickness to their symptoms of simulator sickness before and after the tests. We found that the subjects who reported having experienced motion sickness in the past were more likely to experience an increase in simulator sickness symptoms during the test, and to report these symptoms to a greater degree after it was over, particularly if they reported having experienced motion sickness while being a passenger in a car or small boat, or while riding a bus. This knowledge will allow researchers to more accurately predict whether a subject is likely to experience simulator sickness during this type of experiment, and to forewarn subjects about their personal risk of experiencing those symptoms.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2016/1049/thumbnail.jp

Simulator Sickness Questionnaire: Twenty Years Later

The present study used simulator sickness questionnaire data from nine different studies to validate and explore the work of the most widely used simulator sickness index. The ability to predict participant dropouts as a result of simulator sickness symptoms was also evaluated. Overall, participants experiencing nausea and nausea-related symptoms were the most likely to fail to complete simulations. Further, simulation specific factors that increase the discrepancy between visual and vestibular perceptions are also related to higher participant study dropout rates. As a result, it is suggested that simulations minimize turns, curves, stops, et cetera, if possible, in order to minimize participant simulation sickness symptoms. The present study highlights several factors to attend to in order to minimize elevated participant simulation sickness

The Effect of Varying Latency in a Head-Mounted Display on Task Performance and Motion Sickness

The purpose of this study was to determine how latency in a head-mounted display affects human performance. Virtual environments are used frequently for training, however simulator sickness is a common problem and may affect transfer of training. Aspects of virtual environments that cause simulator sickness are not fully understood, but varying latency has been shown to increase simulator sickness symptoms. The impact of varying latency on task performance and the interaction between performance and simulator sickness symptoms has not been examined. Twenty-nine subjects (15 male) participated in a repeated measures study in which they were exposed to two different latency conditions in a Head-Mounted Display (HMD): constant (70 ms) and varying (70 ms – 270 ms). Experimental sessions were separated by 14-daysto minimize the effects of adaptation. While wearing the HMD, subjects used a laser pointer to repeatedly shoot at 8 laser targets, arrayed in a 180-degree arc around the lab,over the course of 200 trials per session, presented in 5 blocks of 40 trials. Sickness levels, accuracy and time-to-hit data were recorded for analysis. Subjects scored fewer hits and took longer to hit targets in the varying latency condition, F (1,54) = 35.20, p \u3c .01, 2p = .40, than in the constant latency condition F (4,51) = 13.50, p \u3c .01, 2 p = .51. These findings indicate that individuals exposed to varying latency performed worse than individuals exposed to constant latency. However, it is unclear if the performance effects are due mostly to the latency itself or another underlying causal influence such as simulator sickness

THE EFFECT OF 0.2 HZ AND 1.0 HZ FREQUENCY AND 100 MS AND 20 - 100 MS AMPLITUDE OF LATENCY ON SIMULATORY SICKNESS IN A HEAD MOUNTED DISPLAY

The purpose of the current experiment was to contribute to the existing literature on the relationship between frequency of latency and amplitude of latency and simulator sickness experienced in a head mounted display (HMD). Motion sickness has been studied for decades in a variety of vehicles including ships, planes, trains and automobiles. More recently virtual environments, including those utilizing an HMD have been shown to generate significant sickness, often termed simulator sickness. Many studies have linked system latency to simulator sickness and recent research has found that with current technology latency is not a constant; but rather it varies systematically over time due to sensor errors and clock asynchronization. One hundred twenty participants were recruited and randomly assigned to one of four conditions (0.2 Hz frequency of latency with 100 ms fixed amplitude of sinusoidal latency; 0.2 Hz frequency of latency with 20 - 100 ms varying amplitude of sinusoidal latency; 1.0 Hz frequency of latency with 100 ms fixed amplitude of sinusoidal latency; 1.0 Hz frequency of latency with 20 - 100 ms varying amplitude of sinusoidal latency). Collected data were analyzed using analysis of variance. A main effect of frequency of latency was found, and data trended toward a main effect of amplitude of latency. Participants reported greater sickness in 0.2 Hz frequency conditions and in the 1 Hz varying amplitude condition, indicating both frequency and amplitude of latency contribute to simulator sickness and are important factors to consider in regard to system latency. In conclusion, both frequency and amplitude of latency play an important role in simulator sickness

Multiple Exposition to a Driving Simulator Reduces Simulator Symptoms for Elderly Drivers

This study examines how older drivers responded to repeated exposures to a driver simulator. Older active and fit drivers participated in 5 simulator sessions within a 14-day period. For each session, simulator sickness symptoms were measured with the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire at baseline and post-session. In addition, participants completed a 10-cm visual analog scale (0= no symptom, 10= mild nausea) at baseline and after a familiarization scenario and post-session. Overall, older adults adapted to the driving simulator and by the fourth session, they showed no difference in sickness scores between the baseline and the post-session measurements. Increasing the exposure duration at session 5 yielded an increase in the sickness symptoms. These results suggest that shorterduration multiple exposures could reduce simulator sickness symptoms in elderly drivers and allow a more effective use of simulators for training by preventing early withdrawal of participants

Simulator Sickness in Fahrsimulationsumgebungen - drei Studien zu Human Factors

Die wachsende Popularität von Fahrsimulationen in Forschung und Praxis rückt auch die Interaktion von Mensch und Maschine in den Fokus (Rizzo, Sheffield, Stierman & Dawson, 2003). Zentral ist dabei die Untersuchung potentieller negativer Nebeneffekte wie Simulator Sickness (Biernacki & Dziuda, 2014; Brucks & Watters, 2009), was Symptome von Übelkeit, Okulomotorik oder Desorientierung umfasst. Die Untersuchung psychologischer Korrelate von Simulator Sickness ist unterrepräsentiert (Milleville-Pennel & Charron, 2015). Die vorliegende Dissertation beschäftigt sich aus diesem Grund mit der Forschungsfrage, welche Human Factors mit dem Erleben von Simulator Sickness in Fahrsimulations-umgebungen verbunden sind. Um dieser Fragestellung nachzugehen, wurden drei Untersuchungen durchgeführt. Die erste Untersuchung widmete sich der Beziehung zwischen aktuell erlebten physischen sowie psychischen Beschwerden und der Ausprägung von Simulator Sickness nach einer Fahrsimulationsexposition. Statistische Analysen ergaben, dass physische Beschwerden kein signifikanter Prädiktor für das Erleben von Simulator Sickness waren, psychische Beschwerden hingegen schon. Die zweite Untersuchung widmete sich der Beziehung zwischen visueller Aufmerksamkeitsleistung und dem Erleben von Simulator Sickness. Es konnten keine signifikante Beziehung zwischen visueller Aufmerksamkeitsleistung und den Skalen des Simulator Sickness Questionnaires aufgezeigt werden. Die dritte Untersuchung widmete sich zwei Fragestellungen: Zum einen sollte herausgefunden werden, welche Fahrertypen anhand verschiedener Human Factors ermittelt werden können, zum anderen sollte untersucht werden, ob sich die Fahrertypen (im Sinne von Merkmalskombinationen verschiedener Human Factors) in ihrem Erleben von Simulator Sickness unterscheiden. Es konnten vier Fahrertypen identifiziert werden (ängstlich, leichtsinnig, vorsichtig und aggressiv), welche sich hinsichtlich des Erlebens von Simulator Sickness nicht signifikant unterschieden. Die durchgeführten Untersuchungen sind limitiert durch die Nutzung jeweils einer Simulationsaufgabe. Künftige Forschung sollte Schwierigkeitsgrade der Aufgaben variieren und experimentelle Designs nutzen. Die Untersuchungen unterstreichen allerdings die Relevanz der Erforschung der Beziehung von Human Factors und Simulator Sickness, welche noch zahlreiche Forschungslücken aufweist.Driving simulations grow in importance in research and practice as well as the interaction of humans and machines (Rizzo, Sheffield, Stierman & Dawson, 2003), especially concerning investigations on potential negative side effects like simulator sickness (Biernacki & Dziuda, 2014; Brucks & Watters, 2009). The phenomena consists of symptoms like nausea, oculomotor, and disorientation. Thus, the investigation of psychological correlates of simulator sickness is scarce (Milleville-Pennel & Charron, 2015). This dissertation deals with the research question which human factors are related with the experience of simulator sickness in driving simulation environments. For this purpose, three studies were conducted. The first study dealt with the relationship physical and psychological complaints and the experience of simulator sickness after the exposition to a driving simulation. Statistical analyses showed that physical complaints are not a significant predictor for simulator sickness, whereas psychological complaints were find to be a significant predictor. The second study addressed the relationship between visual attention and simulator sickness. The results did not show a significant correlation between these variables. The third study focused on driver types that were identified based on combinations of individual characteristics. Furthermore, this study aimed to examine if the driver types differ concerning their experience of simulator sickness. Four driver types were identified (anxious, careless, cautious, and aggressive) that did not differ significantly in the experience of simulator sickness. The studies are limited due to the use of only one simulation task, respectively. Further research should vary the task difficulty and should use experimental designs. Nonetheless, the studies stressed out the importance of examinations on the relationship of human factors and simulator sickness