A Study on the Relationship Between Spiral Motion Illusions and Anxiety Levels: A Comprehensive Analysis of Neural Activity and Visual Stimuli

Abstract. Spiral Motion Illusions (SMIs) are a fascinating phenomenon where static images create a compelling sense of motion, tricking the brain into perceiving movement where there is none. This study investigates the relationship between SMIs and anxiety levels, aiming to uncover how these visual illusions might influence emotional states. The experimental design involved exposing thirty-one participants to two distinct types of SMIsthe "rotating snakes" and "rotating ad-lib" imageswithin a controlled environment. Anxiety levels were assessed both before and after exposure using standardized questionnaires, while neural activity was continuously monitored through the ThinkGear ASIC Module (TGAM) to capture real-time brainwave patterns. The results revealed significant changes in anxiety levels, with each type of SMI eliciting unique neural responses. The "rotating snakes" illusion, characterized by dynamic color contrast, and the "rotating ad-lib" images, defined by contrasting colors, produced distinct patterns of anxiety-related brainwave activity. These findings provide valuable insights into the intricate ways that visual illusions can influence emotional states, particularly anxiety, and highlight the potential of SMIs as tools for both psychological research and therapeutic applications. This study advances our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying anxiety and offers a new perspective on how visual stimuli can affect mental health.