Headache for an Extra $3: The Experience of Viewing 3D Movies at the Theater

Carrier, L. Mark; Rab, Saira; Vasquez, Ludivina

doi:10.1037/e709462011-001

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Anecdotal reports suggest a possible relationship between 3D movies and headache (HA). The first known attempt to draw attention to the subject was made in 2011, when Carrier asked 400 people to view the same movie in both 2D and 3D format, after which emotional reactions were measured ( 1 ). A small proportion (number not specified by the author) of participants described HA after having watched a 3D movie.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Cinema and Headache: The First Evidential Relation and Analysis of Involved Factors

et al. 2016

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BackgroundA possible link between 3D movies and headache (HA) has never been a target of specific and systematic investigations. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between 3D cinema and HA and to evaluate possible risk factors of developing HA during or after watching a 3D movie.MethodsThis was a prospective, non-randomized, observational study. Six thousand specifically designed questionnaires were distributed to consecutive cinema visitors. Relative HA risks for 2D- vs. 3D-movie visitors and the effects of background variables were analyzed.ResultsThe questionnaire was filled and returned by 1293 persons. The mean age of responders was 33.0 ± 11.3 years. Individuals who viewed 3D movies reported HA during or after the movie 1.61 times more often than 2D-movie viewers (11.1% in 3D vs. 7.2% in 2D movies, p = 0.017). The risk was higher in women: 2.65 times for 2D (p = 0.019) and 1.85 times for 3D movies (p = 0.06), and decreased with age by 4.6% with each year for 2D (p = 0.0035) and by 3.2% for 3D movies (p = 0.0098). Among 3D-movie visitors, those with previous HAs were 4.17 times more prone to get a cinema-induced HA (p = 0.02). The risk was the highest for persons with migraine (OR = 3.37, p = 0.001).ConclusionFor the first time, it was evidentially shown that 3D movies can provoke HA. Persons at risk are mostly younger women and/or migraineurs. Based on our results, for those belonging to the aforementioned risk groups, it can be mainly recommended to choose passive 3D technology and to view movies from the farthest possible distance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%