VR.net: A Real-world Dataset for Virtual Reality Motion Sickness Research

Researchers have used machine learning approaches to identify motion sickness in VR experience. These approaches demand an accurately-labeled, real-world, and diverse dataset for high accuracy and generalizability. As a starting point to address this need, we introduce `VR.net', a dataset offering approximately 12-hour gameplay videos from ten real-world games in 10 diverse genres. For each video frame, a rich set of motion sickness-related labels, such as camera/object movement, depth field, and motion flow, are accurately assigned. Building such a dataset is challenging since manual labeling would require an infeasible amount of time. Instead, we utilize a tool to automatically and precisely extract ground truth data from 3D engines' rendering pipelines without accessing VR games' source code. We illustrate the utility of VR.net through several applications, such as risk factor detection and sickness level prediction. We continuously expand VR.net and envision its next version offering 10X more data than the current form. We believe that the scale, accuracy, and diversity of VR.net can offer unparalleled opportunities for VR motion sickness research and beyond

Induction of nocebo effects by verbal suggestions during the caloric test

The caloric test is the most frequently performed vestibular diagnostic test and is considered the “gold-standard” for the assessment of the peripheral vestibular system. Using a warm or cool stimulus, the caloric test alters the temperature gradient in the vestibular system resulting in nausea and dizziness. The nocebo effect is a phenomenon that can occur when negative expectations result in negative effects. No study has examined whether expectations of nausea and dizziness during the caloric test enhance the experience of unwanted symptoms. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether a nocebo response can be elicited during the caloric test. Fifty-four participants between the ages of 18-26 were randomly separated into two groups: one group received positive instructions prior to a modified-caloric test and the other group received negative instructions. Participants then underwent a modified-caloric test with water set to 37 degrees Celsius and not expected to stimulate the vestibular system. Eye movements were recorded using the ICS Chartr 200 videonystagmography system. Physiologic variables included measurements of skin conductance and skin resistance using a GSR Shimmer unit. Subjective variables included a yes/no question about the presence of vertigo, a 7-point severity of nausea rating, and a 20-point motion sickness scale. Covariates included self-report State Trait Anxiety and Motion Sickness Susceptibility questionnaires. Average slow phase velocity of eye movements indicated no vestibular stimulation for either group. Self-reported perception of nausea and motion sickness were minimal and did not differ between groups. The negative instruction group yielded additional peaks in skin conductance and dips in skin resistance compared to the positive instruction group, suggesting increases in physiological arousal in the negative instruction group. Both groups presented with low State Trait Anxiety and Motion Sickness Susceptibility scores. Negative instructions prior to the caloric test did not produce subjective symptoms of nausea or dizziness. However, it does appear that negative instruction may contribute to higher levels of physiologic arousal during testing. Future research should consider allowing participants to first gain experience with caloric testing and sensations of vertigo prior to the experiment to better facilitate the formation of nocebo effects