Reaction Time as a Proxy for Presence in Mixed Reality Environments with Break-In Presence

This IEEE conference talk explores how reaction time can serve as a measure for presence in mixed reality environments, particularly when break-in presence (BIP) occurs. Presented by researchers Yasra Chandio (University of Massachusetts, Amherst), Victoria Interrante (University of Minnesota), and Fatima Muhammad Anwar (UMASS Amherst), the 10-minute presentation examines the relationship between distractions, presence, cognitive load, and reaction time in mixed reality settings. Learn about their within-subject study involving 54 participants who performed image-sorting tasks under various distraction conditions. The findings reveal that incongruent distractions increase cognitive load, slow reaction times, and elevate BIP frequency, with presence acting as a mediating factor between these elements. Part of the "Presence, body ownership, and agency" session at IEEE VR 2025.