CHANGES IN SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS (VEs)

摘要

Correctly interpreting the meaning of observed deficits in a Virtual Environment (VE) user's performance or physiological status is difficult without understanding the user's subjective state of well-being. This is a brief review of the adverse changes in subjective well-being elicited by exposure to VEs and other synthetic experiences wherein the usual relation among visual, vestibular, and somesthetic sources of information has been distorted. Symptom prevalence, severity, type, and order are described and tools are recommended for evaluating subjective symptoms and observable signs. Research recommendations are made concerning unknown aspects of VE symptomatology. Gaps in knowledge about symptomatology should be filled to facilitate human-centered design strategies and enhance VE usability.