The impact of 3D and 2D TV watching on neurophysiological responses and cognitive functioning in adults

This study comes from seven authors:

1. Hyun-Ghang Jeong¹,²,
2. Young-Hoon Ko²,³,
3. Changsu Han²,³,
4. So-Young Oh³,
5. Kun Woo Park⁴,
6. Taehee Kim³ and
7. Deokwon Ko⁴

1. 
   
   1 Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
2. 
   
   2 Korea University Research Institute of Mental Health, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
3. 
   
   3 Department of Psychiatry, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea
4. 
   
   4 Department of Neurology, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

 

Background: Watching three-dimensional television (3D TV) may strain the eyes. However, other potential harmful effects of 3D TV watching have been rarely investigated. The current study examined the impact of 3D TV watching on neurophysiological responses and cognitive functioning as compared with two-dimensional TV (2D TV) watching. Methods: A total of 72 individuals were randomly assigned to either a 3D TV watching group or a 2D TV watching group. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure neurophysiological responses, and computerized neurocognitive tests were conducted immediately before and after TV watching. The Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) was used to assess visual discomfort. Results: There was a significant change in visual discomfort between the two groups (SSQ score at baseline: 2.28 ± 3.05 for the 3D TV group and 3.69 ± 3.49 for the 2D TV group; SSQ score after watching TV: 4.6 ± 3.35 for the 3D TV group and 4.03 ± 3.47 for the 2D TV group), and this change was greater for the 3D TV watching group (P = 0.025). However, 3D TV watching did not have a differential impact on EEG responses. Furthermore, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of changes in cognitive performance, except for a subtle difference in backward digit span performance. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that 3D TV watching is as safe as 2D TV watching in terms of neurophysiological responses and cognitive functioning. Potential harmful effects of TV viewing might be similar regardless of whether 3D or 2D TV is viewed.

For more information or to purchase this study, go to http://eurpub.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/03/14/eurpub.ckv022