Immersed and Engaged: Understanding the Physiological
Response to 3D Bubble Fixations in Virtual Reality

Fatima Isiaka

Salihu Aish Abdulkareem
Sopha Al Sharji

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is rapidly evolving from a gaming novelty to a powerful tool in fields ranging from therapy to training. As its applications expand, understanding how our bodies respond to VR environments becomes crucial. A recent study delved into the physiological effects of fixating on 3D bubbles within a virtual reality setting, revealing fascinating insights into the connections between visual attention, immersion, and our internal state. The study focused on exploring the correlates of physiological responses, specifically measuring heart rate variability
(HRV) and electrodermal activity (EDA), while participants visually fixated on dynamically presented 3D bubbles in a VR environment. Why bubbles? Their dynamic, reflective, and semi-transparent nature makes them visually captivating and potentially evokes a sense of childlike wonder and intrigue. The result shows “Elevated Arousal”where fixations on the 3D-bubbles led to a noticeable increase in Skin conductance response (SCR), indicating heightened emotional arousal and
engagement. This suggests that the visual stimulus was successfully capturing and maintaining the participant’s attention. 

Keywords: Virtual Reality Environment, Physiological Response,
Electrodermal activity, Heart Rate, Skin temperature, 3D-Bubbles, Fixations