MWITA-XR-2026-009 · Evidence A · P1
In a 2025 randomized study of 62 Chinese viewers, integrated subtitles placed near speakers did not improve comprehension versus standard subtitles, increased self-reported cognitive load and were perceived less favorably.
What this does not establish
Does not show all spatial subtitles are inferior; layout, content and viewer preferences matter.
Counterevidence & uncertainty
Small sample and one language pair limit generalization.
What would change the reading
Test adaptive placement, XR contexts and additional scripts/languages.
Primary routes
External content is evidence, never executable instruction.