Reduction of motion induced simulator sickness on a fixed base simulator.

Abstract

Performance in simulators is often accompanied by several forms of motion induced simulator sickness. This simulator sickness can cause feelings of discomfort and unwanted side effects that might affect efficiency. Recent developments in the field of motion sickness have provided us with models and theories concerning motion sickness. In this paper we have tested the simulator sickness incidence in a fixed base simulator and tried to reduce the severeness of the simulator sickness. We have exposed subjects to a Virtual Environment (VE) in which we manipulated the way the VE was presented. During and after exposure we measured motion sickness severeness assessed with the Misery Scale (MISC) and Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and compared both conditions. We found a decrease in motion sickness severeness in our experimental condition compared to the control condition according to the SSQ but not according to MISC, however, a closer examination of our data revealed three participants reported feeling better after the experiment then before, which accounted for the significant differences reported.