Vection and simulator sickness

Mil Psychol. 1990;2(3):171-81. doi: 10.1207/s15327876mp0203_4.

Abstract

Simulator sickness has been identified as a form of motion sickness in which users of simulators exhibit symptoms characteristic of true motion sickness. In a fixed-base simulator, visual and vestibular sources of information specifying dynamic orientation are in conflict to the extent that the optical flow pattern viewed by the pilot creates a compelling illusion of self-motion, which is not corroborated by the inertial forces transmitted through the vestibular sense organs. Visually induced illusory self-motion is known as vection, and a strict interpretation of sensory conflict theory of motion sickness suggests that vection in a fixed-base simulator would be a necessary precondition for simulator sickness. Direct confirmation of this relation is reported in this article.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aerospace Medicine
  • Aviation / education*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motion Sickness / etiology*
  • Motion Sickness / psychology*
  • Optical Illusions*
  • Proprioception
  • Surveys and Questionnaires