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.

Basic information

Original name

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

Authors

PAWELCZYK, Witold; Dorota OLEJARZ; Zofia GAWEL; Magdalena MERTA; Aleksandra NOWAKOWSKA; Magdalena NOWAK; Anna RUTKOWSKA; Ladislav BAŤALÍK (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution) and Sebastian RUTKOWSKI

Edition

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

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Article in a journal

Field of Study

30304 Public and environmental health

Country of publisher

Switzerland

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

URL

Impact factor

Impact factor: 2.900 in 2024

Organization unit

Faculty of Medicine

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082718

UT WoS

001475566900001

EID Scopus

2-s2.0-105003399820

Keywords in English

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

Abstract

In the original language

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.

Cite

PAWELCZYK, Witold; Dorota OLEJARZ; Zofia GAWEL; Magdalena MERTA; Aleksandra NOWAKOWSKA; Magdalena NOWAK; Anna RUTKOWSKA; Ladislav BAŤALÍK and 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, vol. 14, No 8, p. 1-13. ISSN 2077-0383. Available from: 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 and 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, vol.~14, No~8, p.~1-13. ISSN~2077-0383. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14082718.

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