Despite significant advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) technology, exposure to VR can induce side effects on the user. One such effect is Depersonalisation and Derealisation (DPDR): feelings of detachment from the self and surroundings. The exact mechanism behind the development of DPDR symptoms following VR use is unknown....
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Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No immediate change to audiology practice is warranted, but vestibular specialists should be aware that individual vestibular sensitivity may predict VR-induced dissociative symptoms, which is relevant for VR-based vestibular rehabilitation tolerance.
As VR tools become more common in vestibular rehabilitation and audiology research, understanding which patients are prone to dissociative side effects can improve patient selection and safety protocols.
- 01VR exposure can induce feelings of depersonalisation (feeling detached from oneself) and derealisation (feeling detached from reality).
- 02Individual differences in vestibular sensitivity predict the degree of VR-induced dissociation.
- 03Findings are relevant to the growing use of VR in vestibular rehabilitation.
- 04Higher vestibular sensitivity may be a risk factor for adverse experiences during VR therapy.
- 05Study contributes a psychophysiological mechanism linking balance system function to dissociative states.
Depersonalisation/derealisation induced by virtual reality is associated with individual differences in vestibular sensitivity.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42669853
- DOI
- 10.1177/09574271261485003.
- Journal
- Journal of Audiological Medicine
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Individuals exposed to virtual reality environments, assessed for vestibular sensitivity
- Intervention
- Virtual reality exposure
Primary outcomes
Depersonalisation/derealisation symptoms; Vestibular sensitivity measures