Open Access

ARTICLE

Implementation of a Subjective Visual Vertical and Horizontal Testing System Using Virtual Reality

Sungjin Lee¹, Min Hong², Hongly Va¹, Ji-Yun Park^3,*
1 Department of Software Convergence, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Korea
2 Department of Computer Software Engineering, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, 31538, Korea
3 Department of Neurology, University of Ulsan college of Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, Ulsan, 44033, Korea
* Corresponding Author: Ji-Yun Park. Email:

Computers, Materials & Continua 2021, 67(3), 3669-3679. https://doi.org/10.32604/cmc.2021.015706

Received 03 December 2020; Accepted 16 January 2021; Issue published 01 March 2021

Abstract

Subjective visual vertical (SVV) and subjective visual horizontal (SVH) tests can be used to evaluate the perception of verticality and horizontality, respectively, and can aid the diagnosis of otolith dysfunction in clinical practice. In this study, SVV and SVH screen version tests are implemented using virtual reality (VR) equipment; the proposed test method promotes a more immersive feeling for the subject while using a simple equipment configuration and possessing excellent mobility. To verify the performance of the proposed VR-based SVV and SVH tests, a reliable comparison was made between the traditional screen-based SVV and SVH tests and the proposed method, based on 30 healthy subjects. The average results of our experimental tests on the VR-based binocular SVV and SVH equipment were −0.15° ± 1.74 and 0.60° ± 1.18, respectively. The proposed VR-based method satisfies the normal tolerance for horizontal or vertical lines, i.e., a ±3° error, as defined in previous studies, and it can be used to replace existing test methods.

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Keywords

Subjective visual vertical; subjective visual horizontal; virtual reality; unity3D; FOVE; HMD; vestibular function tests; diagnostic equipment

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