Nam Sungu, Jang Kyoung-Mi, Kwon Moonyoung, Lim Hyun Kyoon, Jeong Jaeseung
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.
Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, South Korea.
Front Hum Neurosci. 2022 Aug 22;16:857768. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.857768. eCollection 2022.
Virtual reality (VR) is a rapidly developing technology that simulates the real world. However, for some cybersickness-susceptible people, VR still has an unanswered problem-cybersickness-which becomes the main obstacle for users and content makers. Sensory conflict theory is a widely accepted theory for cybersickness. It proposes that conflict between afferent signals and internal models can cause cybersickness. This study analyzes the brain states that determine cybersickness occurrence and related uncomfortable feelings. Furthermore, we use the electroencephalogram (EEG) microstates and functional connectivity approach based on the sensory conflict theory. The microstate approach is a time-space analysis method that allows signals to be divided into several temporarily stable states, simultaneously allowing for the exploration of short- and long-range signals. These temporal dynamics can show the disturbances in mental processes associated with neurological and psychiatric conditions of cybersickness. Furthermore, the functional connectivity approach gives us in-depth insight and relationships between the sources related to cybersickness. We recruited 40 males (24.1 ± 2.3 years), and they watched a VR video on a curved computer monitor for 10 min to experience cybersickness. We recorded the 5-min resting state EEG (baseline condition) and 10-min EEG while watching the VR video (task condition). Then, we performed a microstate analysis, focusing on two temporal parameters: mean duration and global explained variance (GEV). Finally, we obtained the functional connectivity data using eLoreta and lagged phase synchronization (LPS). We discovered five sets of microstates (A-E), including four widely reported canonical microstates (A-D), during baseline and task conditions. The average duration increased in microstates A and B, which is related to the visual and auditory networks. The GEV and duration decreased in microstate C, whereas those in microstate D increased. Microstate C is related to the default mode network (DMN) and D to the attention network. The temporal dynamics of the microstate parameters are from cybersickness disturbing the sensory, DMN, and attention networks. In the functional connectivity part, the LPS between the left and right parietal operculum (OP) significantly decreased ( < 0.05) compared with the baseline condition. Furthermore, the connectivity between the right OP and V5 significantly decreased ( < 0.05). These results also support the disturbance of the sensory network because a conflict between the visual (V5) and vestibular system (OP) causes cybersickness. Changes in the microstates and functional connectivity support the sensory conflict theory. These results may provide additional information in understanding brain dynamics during cybersickness.
虚拟现实(VR)是一种快速发展的模拟现实世界的技术。然而,对于一些易患晕动症的人来说,VR仍然存在一个未解决的问题——晕动症,这成为了用户和内容创作者的主要障碍。感觉冲突理论是一种被广泛接受的关于晕动症的理论。该理论提出,传入信号与内部模型之间的冲突会导致晕动症。本研究分析了决定晕动症发生及相关不适感的大脑状态。此外,我们基于感觉冲突理论采用脑电图(EEG)微状态和功能连接方法。微状态方法是一种时空分析方法,它允许将信号划分为几个暂时稳定的状态,同时允许探索短程和长程信号。这些时间动态可以显示与晕动症的神经和精神状况相关的心理过程中的干扰。此外,功能连接方法使我们能够深入了解与晕动症相关的源之间的关系。我们招募了40名男性(24.1±2.3岁),他们在曲面电脑显示器上观看一段VR视频10分钟以体验晕动症。我们记录了5分钟的静息状态脑电图(基线状态)以及观看VR视频时的10分钟脑电图(任务状态)。然后,我们进行了微状态分析,重点关注两个时间参数:平均持续时间和全局解释方差(GEV)。最后,我们使用eLoreta和滞后相位同步(LPS)获得了功能连接数据。我们在基线状态和任务状态下发现了五组微状态(A - E),包括四个广泛报道的典型微状态(A - D)。微状态A和B的平均持续时间增加,这与视觉和听觉网络有关。微状态C的GEV和持续时间下降,而微状态D的则增加。微状态C与默认模式网络(DMN)相关,微状态D与注意力网络相关。微状态参数的时间动态源于晕动症对感觉、DMN和注意力网络的干扰。在功能连接部分,与基线状态相比,左右顶叶岛盖(OP)之间的LPS显著降低(<0.05)。此外,右侧OP与V5之间的连接性显著降低(<0.05)。这些结果也支持了感觉网络的干扰,因为视觉(V5)和前庭系统(OP)之间的冲突会导致晕动症。微状态和功能连接的变化支持了感觉冲突理论。这些结果可能为理解晕动症期间的大脑动态提供额外信息。