Does Frame Rate in VR Cause Motion Sickness?

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The evidence from multiple studies indicates that higher frame rates in VR environments play a crucial role in reducing motion sickness. Achieving frame rates of 120fps or higher can significantly enhance user comfort and performance, making VR experiences more enjoyable and less likely to induce motion sickness. Additionally, techniques such as optimizing movement speed and incorporating rest frames can further mitigate the effects of VIMS. As VR technology continues to evolve, focusing on these factors will be essential for improving user experiences and expanding the adoption of VR across various domains.

Virtual Reality (VR) has revolutionized the way we interact with digital environments, offering immersive experiences across various fields such as gaming, education, and medical simulations. However, one of the significant barriers to widespread VR adoption is motion sickness, also known as visually-induced motion sickness (VIMS) or cyber-sickness. This phenomenon occurs when there is a disconnect between the visual motion cues perceived by the eyes and the lack of corresponding physical movement, leading to symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and discomfort. This article explores the impact of frame rate on motion sickness in VR environments, drawing insights from recent research studies.

The Role of Frame Rate in VR

Frame rate, measured in frames per second (fps), is a critical factor in VR that influences the smoothness and responsiveness of the virtual environment. Higher frame rates are generally associated with better user experiences and reduced motion sickness. According to a study by3, VR head-mounted displays (HMDs) with higher frame rates (e.g., 120fps and 180fps) significantly reduce simulator sickness (SS) symptoms compared to lower frame rates (e.g., 60fps). The study found that 120fps is an important threshold, beyond which users experience lower SS symptoms without compromising their overall experience.

Research Findings

Study on User Comfort and Frame Rate

A study focused on user comfort in VR environments revealed that motion sickness could be mitigated by optimizing the frame rate and movement speed within the virtual space. The research involved 30 users navigating a VR environment at different speeds, with the most comfortable experience reported at a speed of 4.0 km/h1. This study underscores the importance of balancing frame rate and movement speed to enhance user comfort and reduce motion sickness.

Static and Dynamic Rest Frames

Another approach to reducing VIMS involves the use of static and dynamic rest frames—portions of the virtual environment that remain fixed relative to the real world. Research by2 demonstrated that incorporating static or dynamic rest frames in VR environments allowed users to travel through more waypoints before experiencing discomfort. This technique helps stabilize the visual field, thereby reducing the likelihood of motion sickness.

High Frame Rate Rendering for Medical Applications

In the context of medical applications, a study developed a high frame rate rendering framework for viewing dento-facial medical data in VR. The framework achieved a frame rate of 125fps, significantly higher than current HMD capabilities, and was found to reduce motion sickness while providing an immersive viewing experience4. This highlights the potential of high frame rate rendering in specialized VR applications to enhance user comfort and effectiveness.