Vibrotactile stimulators and virtual 3-D audio countermeasures, training and motion sickness symptoms with a simulated graveyard spin illusion

Abstract

The vestibular system by itself is incapable of effectively compensating for the graveyard spin illusion. We examined two countermeasures, i.e., efficacy of vibrotactile stimulation around the waist and virtual 3-D audio presented independently and jointly for controlling a simulated graveyard spin. We also examined: a) additional training with these countermeasures to improve "intuitiveness;" b) included non-perturbation trials along with perturbation trials; and c) monitored changes in well-being as measured by a motion sickness scale from pre- to post-test and immediately following each trial. Ten volunteers received two training and two test sessions. The somatogyral illusion was generated by accelerating a chair for 24 s until it attained a peak rotation of 120 degrees /s and then stopped. Over the ensuing 40 s the chair rotated in one of two random perturbation patterns or remained stationary. During this period, participants were required to eliminate all movements of the chair by turning a knob in the opposite direction of perceived rotation. For the control trials, participants relied solely on vestibular signals to cancel perceived movements. For the experimental trials, vibrotactile stimulation around the waist, virtual 3-D audio, or both were presented. The mean Cancellation Error (CE) for the control trials was 52 degrees /s. The application of the countermeasures significantly reduced the CE. Additional training and testing did not improve intuitiveness. Perturbations to the chair resulted in a higher CE than no perturbations. Motion sickness symptoms showed no differences from pre- to post-test and very rarely reported after each trial.