Understanding Cybersickness and Presence in Seated VR: A
Foundation for Exploring Therapeutic Applications of Immersive
Virtual Environments

J 2025

Understanding Cybersickness and Presence in Seated VR: A Foundation for Exploring Therapeutic Applications of Immersive Virtual Environments

PAWELCZYK, Witold; Dorota OLEJARZ; Zofia GAWEL; Magdalena MERTA; Aleksandra NOWAKOWSKA et. al.

Základní údaje

Originální název

Understanding Cybersickness and Presence in Seated VR: A Foundation for Exploring Therapeutic Applications of Immersive Virtual Environments

Autoři

PAWELCZYK, Witold; Dorota OLEJARZ; Zofia GAWEL; Magdalena MERTA; Aleksandra NOWAKOWSKA; Magdalena NOWAK; Anna RUTKOWSKA; Ladislav BAŤALÍK (203 Česká republika, domácí) a Sebastian RUTKOWSKI

Vydání

Journal of Clinical Medicine, BASEL, MDPI, 2025, 2077-0383

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Obor

30304 Public and environmental health

Stát vydavatele

Švýcarsko

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

URL

Impakt faktor

Impact factor: 2.900 v roce 2024

Organizační jednotka

Lékařská fakulta

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082718

UT WoS

001475566900001

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-105003399820

Klíčová slova anglicky

VR; immersion; virtual walk; cybersickness; emotional response; spatial presence

Štítky

14110525, rivok

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam, Recenzováno

Změněno: 3. 6. 2025 12:56, Mgr. Tereza Miškechová

Anotace

V originále

Background/Objectives: To assess the spatial presence and impact of an immersive virtual reality (VR) walk on symptoms of cybersickness, emotions, and participant engagement, with the aim of providing insights applicable to future therapeutic VR interventions for individuals with limited mobility. Methods: The experiment involved 30 healthy individuals who used VR headsets while seated on chairs to experience a 360 degrees virtual tour of the Venice Canals in Los Angeles. The effect of immersion was evaluated using the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) to measure cybersickness symptoms, the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form (I-PANAS-SF) to assess emotions, the Spatial Presence Experience Scale (SPES) to evaluate spatial presence, and the Flow State Scale (FSS) to quantify the flow state. Results: The results indicated that the virtual walk elicited both positive and negative reactions. The increase in eye strain (+0.66), general discomfort (+0.6), and headache (+0.43) was achieved in the VRSQ scale. Despite experiencing nausea and oculomotor symptoms, participants reported a high level of flow (range of scale items from 3.47 to 3.70), suggesting a beneficial impact of immersion on their well-being. Furthermore, the analysis of the I-PANAS-SF results revealed a predominance of positive emotions, indicating a favorable perception of the experience. However, the SPES scores exhibited variability in the perception of spatial presence (mean spatial presence score 3.74, SD 2.06), likely influenced by the characteristics of the visual material used. Conclusions: Overall, the immersive VR walk, despite the potential risk of cybersickness symptoms, as a seated passive exploration still promoted feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment, allowing the participants to actively engage with the virtual environment. These findings suggest that seated VR experiences hold promise as a tool for promoting well-being, but further research is needed to address cybersickness and optimize VR content for therapeutic use in populations with limited mobility.

Citovat

PAWELCZYK, Witold; Dorota OLEJARZ; Zofia GAWEL; Magdalena MERTA; Aleksandra NOWAKOWSKA; Magdalena NOWAK; Anna RUTKOWSKA; Ladislav BAŤALÍK a Sebastian RUTKOWSKI. Understanding Cybersickness and Presence in Seated VR: A Foundation for Exploring Therapeutic Applications of Immersive Virtual Environments. Journal of Clinical Medicine. BASEL: MDPI, 2025, roč. 14, č. 8, s. 1-13. ISSN 2077-0383. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082718.

@article{2501027,
   author = {Pawelczyk, Witold and Olejarz, Dorota and Gawel, Zofia and Merta, Magdalena and Nowakowska, Aleksandra and Nowak, Magdalena and Rutkowska, Anna and Baťalík, Ladislav and Rutkowski, Sebastian},
   article_location = {BASEL},
   article_number = {8},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082718},
   keywords = {VR; immersion; virtual walk; cybersickness; emotional response; spatial presence},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {2077-0383},
   journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
   title = {Understanding Cybersickness and Presence in Seated VR: A Foundation for Exploring Therapeutic Applications of Immersive Virtual Environments},
   url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/8/2718},
   volume = {14},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2501027
AU  - Pawelczyk, Witold - Olejarz, Dorota - Gawel, Zofia - Merta, Magdalena - Nowakowska, Aleksandra - Nowak, Magdalena - Rutkowska, Anna - Baťalík, Ladislav - Rutkowski, Sebastian
PY  - 2025
TI  - Understanding Cybersickness and Presence in Seated VR: A Foundation for Exploring Therapeutic Applications of Immersive Virtual Environments
JF  - Journal of Clinical Medicine
VL  - 14
IS  - 8
SP  - 1-13
EP  - 1-13
PB  - MDPI
SN  - 20770383
KW  - VR
KW  - immersion
KW  - virtual walk
KW  - cybersickness
KW  - emotional response
KW  - spatial presence
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/8/2718
N2  - Background/Objectives: To assess the spatial presence and impact of an immersive virtual reality (VR) walk on symptoms of cybersickness, emotions, and participant engagement, with the aim of providing insights applicable to future therapeutic VR interventions for individuals with limited mobility. Methods: The experiment involved 30 healthy individuals who used VR headsets while seated on chairs to experience a 360 degrees virtual tour of the Venice Canals in Los Angeles. The effect of immersion was evaluated using the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) to measure cybersickness symptoms, the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-Short Form (I-PANAS-SF) to assess emotions, the Spatial Presence Experience Scale (SPES) to evaluate spatial presence, and the Flow State Scale (FSS) to quantify the flow state. Results: The results indicated that the virtual walk elicited both positive and negative reactions. The increase in eye strain (+0.66), general discomfort (+0.6), and headache (+0.43) was achieved in the VRSQ scale. Despite experiencing nausea and oculomotor symptoms, participants reported a high level of flow (range of scale items from 3.47 to 3.70), suggesting a beneficial impact of immersion on their well-being. Furthermore, the analysis of the I-PANAS-SF results revealed a predominance of positive emotions, indicating a favorable perception of the experience. However, the SPES scores exhibited variability in the perception of spatial presence (mean spatial presence score 3.74, SD 2.06), likely influenced by the characteristics of the visual material used. Conclusions: Overall, the immersive VR walk, despite the potential risk of cybersickness symptoms, as a seated passive exploration still promoted feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment, allowing the participants to actively engage with the virtual environment. These findings suggest that seated VR experiences hold promise as a tool for promoting well-being, but further research is needed to address cybersickness and optimize VR content for therapeutic use in populations with limited mobility.
ER  -

PAWELCZYK, Witold; Dorota OLEJARZ; Zofia GAWEL; Magdalena MERTA; Aleksandra NOWAKOWSKA; Magdalena NOWAK; Anna RUTKOWSKA; Ladislav BAŤALÍK a Sebastian RUTKOWSKI. Understanding Cybersickness and Presence in Seated VR: A Foundation for Exploring Therapeutic Applications of Immersive Virtual Environments. \textit{Journal of Clinical Medicine}. BASEL: MDPI, 2025, roč.~14, č.~8, s.~1-13. ISSN~2077-0383. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082718.

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