title: Quantitative orientation preference and susceptibility to space motion sickness simulated in a virtual reality environment.
abstract: Orientation preference should appear when variable weightings of spatial orientation cues are used between individuals. It is possible that astronauts' orientation preferences could be a potential predictor for susceptibility to space motion sickness (SMS). The present study was conducted to confirm this relationship on Earth by quantifying orientation preferences and simulating SMS in a virtual reality environment. Two tests were carried out. The first was to quantitatively determine one's orientation preference. Thirty-two participants' vision and body cue preferences were determined by measuring perceptual up (PU) orientations. The ratio of vision and body vector (ROVB) was used as the indicator of one's orientation preference. The second test was to visually induce motion sickness symptoms that represent similar sensory conflicts as SMS using a virtual reality environment. Relationships between ROVB values and motion sickness scores were analyzed, which revealed cubic functions by using optimal fits. According to ROVB level, participants were divided into three groups - body group, vision group, and confusion group - and the factor of gender was further considered as a covariate in the analysis. Consistent differences in motion sickness scores were observed between the three groups. Thus, orientation preference had a significant relationship with susceptibility to simulated SMS symptoms. This knowledge could assist with astronaut selection and might be a useful countermeasure when developing new preflight trainings.
authors: National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing 10094, China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Chen
authors: National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing 10094, China. Electronic address: xjtucjg@163.com.
authors: Jian-Gang
authors: JG
authors: Chao
authors: National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing 10094, China.
authors: Xue-Wen
authors: XW
authors: Chen
authors: National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing 10094, China.
authors: Jin-Kun
authors: JK
authors: Wang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Space Medicine Fundamentals and Application, China Astronaut Research and Training Center, Beijing 10094, China.
authors: Cheng
authors: C
authors: Tan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013026:Space Flight; D018489:Space Motion Sickness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D065854:Spatial Navigation / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Quantitative orientation preference; Space motion sickness; Susceptibility; Virtual reality environment