Cybersickness Exploration for Different VR Tasks Under Variable Rendering Conditions

Cybersickness is a major challenge in virtual reality (VR), adversely affecting user comfort and usability. While prior research has examined visual and system factors, the impact of different VR tasks under varied rendering conditions remains underexplored. To address this, we investigated three interaction tasks—navigation, selection, and manipulation—together with two rendering parameters: center area radius (CAR) and peripheral resolution (PR). Cybersickness severity and frequency were assessed using Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) scores and electroencephalography (EEG) data. Results show that task type significantly affects cybersickness severity, with CAR playing a critical role. Moreover, α-band power spectral density (PSD) strongly correlates with SSQ scores, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for cybersickness. Neural responses also exhibited temporal delays compared to subjective reports, offering insights into the mechanisms of cybersickness. These findings advance understanding of task- and rendering-related influences, informing more effective prediction and mitigation strategies in VR system design.