A Systematic Review: The Role of Multisensory Feedback in Virtual Reality

Most virtual reality (VR) applications rely on auditory and visual stimulation which can be limiting in terms of how well the user experience can be. This systematic review looks at multisensory VR systems that incorporate haptic, olfactory, and/or gustatory cues, in addition to audio-visual. It aims to provide a broad overview of how multisensory stimulation affects VR experiences and to identify which types of sensory stimuli are most commonly used in the multisensory context. The authors found that 90% of the studies they examined showed a positive effect of multisensory VR, with haptics attracting considerable attention (65%). They highlight the need to devote more research and development to smell and taste, as they can add significant value to VR and user experiences.