title: Self-motion perception: assessment by real-time computer-generated animations.
abstract: We report a new procedure for assessing complex self-motion perception. In three experiments, subjects manipulated a 6 degree-of-freedom magnetic-field tracker which controlled the motion of a virtual avatar so that its motion corresponded to the subjects' perceived self-motion. The real-time animation created by this procedure was stored using a virtual video recorder for subsequent analysis. Combined real and illusory self-motion and vestibulo-ocular reflex eye movements were evoked by cross-coupled angular accelerations produced by roll and pitch head movements during passive yaw rotation in a chair. Contrary to previous reports, illusory self-motion did not correspond to expectations based on semicircular canal stimulation. Illusory pitch head-motion directions were as predicted for only 37% of trials; whereas, slow-phase eye movements were in the predicted direction for 98% of the trials. The real-time computer-generated animations procedure permits use of naive, untrained subjects who lack a vocabulary for reporting motion perception and is applicable to basic self-motion perception studies, evaluation of motion simulators, assessment of balance disorders and so on.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle 98195-7923, USA. deparker@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000379:methods; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009039:Motion Perception; D012647:Self-Assessment; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D014741:Video Recording