Investigation of the effect of two types of locomotion in the virtual environment in terms of postural stability and cybersickness

Cybersickness is a significant challenge limiting the broader adoption of virtual reality (VR) involving head-mounted displays (HMDs), in medical applications. The sensory conflict caused by HMDs can lead to symptoms like motion sickness and affect postural control. Locomotion is one factor that may help decrease these symptoms. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two locomotion types—walking in place (WIP) and standing (STD)—on postural control and cybersickness. Forty-one healthy young adults (21 female, 20 male) participated in this study. They immersed in a VR environment using Meta Oculus 2 HMDs for 15 minutes on two separate sessions, experiencing both locomotion types. Postural control was measured using a stabilimeter, while cybersickness symptoms were assessed with the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) before and after each session. The results revealed no significant difference in cybersickness between the two locomotion methods. However, a higher disorientation score and a significantly increased total SSQ score were observed after the STD experience. In terms of postural control, no significant difference was found between the two locomotion types either. Specifically, postural control measures taken while wearing the HMD showed a significant rise in mediolateral velocity following the STD locomotion experience. These results offer valuable insights into the connection between postural control and cybersickness, highlighting the role of body involvement in the VR experience.