Simulation sickness

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Simulation sickness, or simulator sickness, is a condition where a person exhibits symptoms similar to motion sickness caused by playing computer/simulation/video games. The cause is unknown, but many theories exist.

[edit] Vestibulo-ocular Reflex

One theory is that because the eyes are constantly moving to get a full perspective of the virtual world on the television screen, and the head isn't moving which can confuse the nervous system. Those that believe this theory say that prolonged exposure can strain or possibly permanently damage the vestibulo-ocular reflex.

[edit] Symptoms

The symptons are often described as quite similar to that of motion sickness. Some can range from headache, drowsiness, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and sweating. A research done at the University of Minnesota surveyed students for less than an hour and found that 50 percent felt sick afterwards [1].

In a study conducted by U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences in a report published May 1995 titled "Technical Report 1027 - Simulator Sickness in Virtual Environments", out of 742 pilot exposures from 11 military flight simulators, "approximately half of the pilots (334) reported post-effects of some kind: 250 (34%) reported that symptoms dissipated in less than 1 hour, 44 (6%) reported that symptoms lasted longer than 4 hours, and 28 (4%) reported that symptoms lasted longer than 6 hours. There were also 4 (1%) reported cases of spontaneously occurring flashbacks" [2][3].