Screening Learners Before Using a Virtual Reality Headset

It is important to screen learners before they use a virtual reality headset as there are several potential health risks associated with the technology.

Health Risks from Using VR Headsets

  1. Anxiety – The immersive nature of virtual and augmented reality can induce stress or anxiety after wearing a headset for more than a few minutes.
  2. Nausea – Some people may complain of dizziness and nausea. Realistic simulated motions can affect a person’s perception of time and space and can induce fatigue, nausea or wooziness.
  3. Eye Strain – VR headsets can cause eye strain among users. Users may strain their eyes in order to focus on a pixelated screen that uses a single refractive optic element. Headsets do not usually address the optic issues with near-to-eye devices and they can quickly become uncomfortable.
  4. “Virtual reality sickness” or “cyber sickness”- Exposure to virtual reality can disrupt the sensory system and lead to symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, sweating, pallor, loss of balance, etc. In sensitive individuals these symptoms may appear within the first few minutes of use.
  5. Post session change in sensory, motor, and perceptual abilities, affecting their manual dexterity or ability to orientate their body.
  6. Epileptic seizures in susceptible people. Exposure to the temporal modulation of the light emitted by LED screens – flashing light that is sometimes imperceptible to the eye (Vest. n.d.).

Click here to download an accessible PDF version of Table 4.4.

Click here to download an accessible PDF version of Table 4.5.

Table 4.4: Checklist to Screen Learners

Question Checklist

  1. Do you have any cold or flu symptoms?

Yes □

No □

  1. Do you have any open cuts or sores on your face or hands?

Yes □

No □

  1. Do you have an empty stomach (have not eaten today)?

Yes □

No □


If you answered yes to any question above, we do not recommend you participate today.

  1. Do you have any pre-existing medical conditions e.g.? Epilepsy or do you identify as vulnerable: pregnant, people suffering from motion sickness or balance problems such as vertigo, Meniere's, or susceptible to migraines, etc.

Yes □

No □

  1. Have you experienced eye strain?

Yes □

No □

  1. Have you experienced stress induced anxiety?

Yes □

No □

If you answered yes to any questions above, please proceed with caution and let the facilitator know if you are experiencing any symptoms throughout the VR experience.

According to Anses (2021), a number of practical strategies for managing VR-related cyber sickness that educators may find helpful have been identified (Table 4.5).

Table 4.5: Strategies for Managing VR-Related Cyber Sickness

Factors that may heighten risk of VR-induced cyber sickness Recommended Strategies

"Presence" in a virtual space - the more immersive the content, the greater chance to experience VR-induced cyber sickness

  • Limit VR exposure time e.g., 30 minutes
  • Build in breaks to limit VR exposure time if needed.
  • Build in breaks between different components and ask users:
    • are you ok?
      • Learner answers 'yes', move on.
      • Learner answers 'no', remove headset and take a break.
  • Learners can rest for one to two hours after using AR/VR devices and before resuming an activity that requires a high level of consciousness.
  • Stop using AR/VR devices immediately if symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, sweating and pallor appear.
  • Avoid all exposure to screens two hours before bedtime, especially for those who may be more sensitive to blue light

Empty stomach

  • Learners should not participate if they have not eaten recently.

Pre-existing medical conditions e.g. Epilepsy or anyone identified as vulnerable: pregnant, people suffering from motion sickness or balance problems such as vertigo, Meniere's, or susceptible to migraines, etc.

  • Please proceed with caution and let the facilitator know if you are experiencing any symptoms throughout the VR experience.

Symptoms of a cold or flu are present.

  • Learners should not participate.

Learner has open cuts or sores on the face or hands (non-intact skin)

  • Learners should not participate.

Walking around in VR environment

  • Learner should be seated.

Little to no experience in VR

  • Educators should continuously assess/monitor user during session for signs of physical and mental distress due to cyber sickness.
  • Signs of mental and physical distress: sweating, changes in breathing pattern, restlessness.
  • If learners experience cyber sickness during the session, they can either remove the headset themselves or signal to an educator to help remove the headset.
  • Educators can ask comment: "If you feel nauseous and need to stop, please remove the headset by lifting it off OR let me know if you need to stop the simulation."
  • Provide bottled water
  • Offer space to lay down.
  • Rest for 5-10 minutes.
  • Can masks/PPE be removed temporarily under this circumstance? Be proactive and check with your Health & Safety team and follow your organization's recommendations.

License

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Virtual Simulation: An Educator's Toolkit Copyright © 2022 by Centennial College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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