The visual fatigue and visually induced motion sickness of a Virtual Reality application for pediatric amblyopia therapy

Abstract

Purpose : This study aimed to evaluate visual fatigue and visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) after using the Virtual Reality application (VR-app) for the pediatric amblyopia therapy.

Methods : The VR-app was developed based on Ken-dama, a Japanese traditional cup-and-ball game that assesses motor control and balance. This study recruited 20 healthy subjects (25.4±6.1 years old) between February 2023 and June 2023. The participants played Ken-dama using the VR-app for 30 minutes. Participants were conducted 5-point fatigue questionnaire of subjective fatigue (Q1 eye fatigue, Q2 blurred vision and diplopia, Q3 eye dryness and heaviness of eyelids, Q4 shoulder stiffness, Q5 neck fatigue, Q6 headache, Q7 sleepiness, Q8 wrist and arm fatigue, and Q9 VIMS).

Results : Subjective ocular symptoms (Q1-3) and VIMS (Q9) were not significantly different before and after playing the VR-app (Q1; 1.08 ± 1.11 vs. 1.08 ± 0.86, P > 0.990, Q2; 0.58 ± 0.49 vs. 0.67 ± 0.47, P = 0.570, Q3; 0.75 ± 0.72 vs. 1.17 ± 0.99, P = 0.083, Q9; 0.00 ± 0.00 vs. 0.00 ± 0.00, P > 0.990). In subjective general symptoms (Q4-8), stiff shoulders (0.95±0.59 vs. 1.90 ± 1.18 ; P = 0.032) and tired wrists and arms (0.30 ±0.46 vs. 2.60 ±1.11 ; P ＜ 0.001) were significantly increased after playing the VR-app.

Conclusions : Playing the VR-app for 30 minutes was found to exacerbate shoulder stiffness and wrist and arm fatigue, but not increase subjective eye fatigue and VIMS.

This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.