Investigating the support of proprioception and visual guidance for menu selection in virtual reality

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) technology enhances spatial awareness in the virtual environment, yet current menu design research seldom explores how this can support interaction. This study investigates how proprioception, users’ sense of body position, can guide menu selection in immersive VR environments. A menu system was developed to test how users interact with menu items using non-visual senses, supported by visual cues. Across three usability sessions, participants engaged with the system, and their evolving behaviours were examined through performance metrics, observations, interviews, and focus groups. Thematic analysis revealed that while users can learn to use proprioceptive cues for menu selection, they rarely rely on them without visual guidance. Effective use requires systems that support spatial awareness and familiarity, allowing interactions to become intuitive and memorised over time. The study also identifies types of visual guidance linked to varying levels of familiarity with surrounding virtual objects. These findings contribute to VR interaction design by demonstrating how visual and proprioceptive cues affect user behaviour and support efficient, embodied menu selection.