Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The perception of self-motion relies on the integration of multisensory information from the visual, auditory, vestibular (i.e., balance), and proprioceptive (i.e., muscles/joints) systems. The information delivered by these senses is typically congruent, giving rise to a global, accurate perception of movement through space. However, under certain circumstances, this information may not be coherent, resulting in illusory sensations such as vection, described as the feeling of self-motion in the absence of real, physical movement. Vection is a common sensation in situations that stimulate a large proportion of the visual field such as virtual reality (VR) applications. Vection is a complex sensation that manifests itself in perceptual (i.e., subjective sensation), behavioural (i.e., observable reactions), and neuro-cortical (i.e., underlying brain activity) levels. Importantly, the interplay between these levels remains unknown, particularly under conditions involving multisensory stimulation. The overall goal of this research program is to address this gap in knowledge by combining subjective, behavioral, and neuro-physiological methods. The specific objectives include: (1) Investigating the effect of multisensory (visual and auditory) stimulation on vection on a perceptual (self-reports) and behavioural (postural sway) level simultaneously. (2) Identifying neuro-cortical correlates of multisensory (visual and auditory) vection using electroencephalography (EEG) measures. This research program will be conducted using StreetLab, a state-of-the-art, immersive VR laboratory housed at the KITE Research Institute's research facilities. StreetLab is equipped with a large, curved projection system with floor projection and surround sound. A force plate will be used to precisely capture postural movements, and a portable 64-channel EEG system will record the neuro-cortical processes associated with vection. This research will have significant impact on three levels: (1) Enhancement of the theoretical understanding of vection. (2) Identification of potential objective behavioural and neuro-cognitive markers of the subjective sensation of vection. (3) Optimization of VR applications for which vection is often a desired phenomenon, for instance in the context of training, research, rehabilitation, and entertainment.