VR Research

VR is not for everyone and can present health and safety concerns for some people. This section describes some of these things, like wearing glasses, being mindful of health conditions, or getting motion sick, for users who may not be sure what to expect when using VR technology.

The information shared here is not official medical advice. Please talk to a medical professional if you have any reservations about using VR technology.

Cybersickness

“Cybersickness” is a type of motion sickness a person can experience during or after using VR technology if they are not used to it, like getting motion sickness from being on a ship or an airplane. 

“What is Cybersickness in Virtual Reality?” by the Interaction Design Foundation describes in more detail what cybersickness is and what causes it, primarily from the perspective of VR user experience designers and VR technology developers. But the article can also be helpful for VR users who may want to look ahead of time for certain elements of VR experiences they may be sensitive to.

Meta Quest Pro Health and Safety Warnings

The following warnings are paraphrased from the Meta Quest Pro Health and Safety Warnings as an introduction to some things you might consider before using a Meta Quest Pro. Meta Quest Pro was chosen specifically for this section because this VR equipment is currently available to UC Irvine students, faculty, and staff through the Libraries. Similar warnings may also apply to other VR technology. You can read the full Meta Quest Pro Health and Safety Warnings on the Meta website.

• Talk to your doctor if you have seizures, are pregnant, are elderly, have medical devices like pacemakers or implants, experience vision or psychiatric disorders, have recently had any type of medical procedure like cosmetic procedures, or have serious heart or other medical conditions, among other circumstances.

• Don’t use VR technology if you are sick, stressed out, drunk, tired, or have digestive problems.

• Take regular breaks when using VR equipment, like with any computer equipment.

• Adjust your headset and controllers so they fit your body comfortably, especially if you are wearing glasses or other aids.

• Take off the light blockers on your headset if you feel uncomfortable with them on or need to be aware of your real-life surroundings, like in a public exhibition space.

• Use VR technology only in an open, indoor space where you can avoid damaging anything or anyone. Be mindful of other people and animals in that space, and stop using the VR headset and controllers if the space becomes unsafe.

• Take your time when you’re moving around in your physical space and interacting with the VR equipment. Use the virtual boundaries (Guardian System) to help you stay within the designated VR experience space.