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Current Opinion in Neurology Feb 2022Motion sickness is an ancient phenomenon that affects many people. Nausea, vomiting, disorientation, sweating, fatigue, and headache are just few of the many signs and... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Motion sickness is an ancient phenomenon that affects many people. Nausea, vomiting, disorientation, sweating, fatigue, and headache are just few of the many signs and symptoms that are commonly experienced during an episode of motion sickness. In the present review, we will provide an overview of the current research trends and topics in the domain of motion sickness, including theoretical considerations, physiological and neural mechanisms, individual risk factors, and treatment options, as well as recommendations for future research directions.
RECENT FINDINGS
More recently, motion sickness has been in the focus of attention in the context of two global technological trends, namely automated vehicles and virtual reality. Both technologies bear the potential to revolutionize our daily lives in many ways; however, motion sickness is considered a serious concern that threatens their success and acceptance. The majority of recent research on motion sickness focuses on one of these two areas.
SUMMARY
Aside from medication (e.g. antimuscarinics, antihistamines), habituation remains the most effective nonpharmacological method to reduce motion sickness. A variety of novel techniques has been investigated with promising results, but an efficient method to reliably prevent or minimize motion sickness has yet to emerge.
Topics: Autonomous Vehicles; Fatigue; Humans; Motion Sickness; Virtual Reality; Vomiting
PubMed: 34839340
DOI: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000001018 -
CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Jan 2016Motion sickness (MS) is a common physiological response to real or virtual motion. Numerous studies have investigated the neurobiological mechanism and the control... (Review)
Review
Motion sickness (MS) is a common physiological response to real or virtual motion. Numerous studies have investigated the neurobiological mechanism and the control measures of MS. This review summarizes the current knowledge about pathogenesis and pathophysiology, prediction, evaluation, and countermeasures of MS. The sensory conflict hypothesis is the most widely accepted theory for MS. Both the hippocampus and vestibular cortex might play a role in forming internal model. The pathophysiology focuses on the visceral afference, thermoregulation and MS-related neuroendocrine. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in some genes and epigenetic modulation might contribute to MS susceptibility and habituation. Questionnaires, heart rate variability (HRV) and electrogastrogram (EGG) are useful for diagnosing and evaluating MS. We also list MS medications to guide clinical practice. Repeated real motion exposure and combined visual-vestibular interaction training accelerate the progress of habituation. Behavioral and dietary countermeasures, as well as physiotherapy, are also effective in alleviating MS symptoms.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Motion Sickness
PubMed: 26452639
DOI: 10.1111/cns.12468 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Oct 2018Seasickness and travel sickness are classic types of motion illness. Modern simulation systems and virtual reality representations can also induce comparable symptoms.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Seasickness and travel sickness are classic types of motion illness. Modern simulation systems and virtual reality representations can also induce comparable symptoms. Such manifestations can be alleviated or prevented by various measures.
METHODS
This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a PubMed search, with special attention to clinical trials and review articles.
RESULTS
Individuals vary in their susceptibility to autonomic symptoms, ranging from fatigue to massive vomiting, induced by passive movement at relatively low frequencies (0.2 to 0.4 Hz) in situations without any visual reference to the horizontal plane. Younger persons and women are considered more susceptible, and twin studies have revealed a genetic component as well. The various types of motion sickness are adequately explained by the intersensory conflict model, incorporating the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems and extended to include consideration of postural instability and asymmetry of the otolith organs. Scopolamine and H1-antihistamines, such as dimenhydrinate and cinnarizine, can be used as pharmacotherapy. The symptoms can also be alleviated by habituation through long exposure or by the diminution of vestibular stimuli.
CONCLUSION
The various types of motion sickness can be treated with general measures to lessen the intersensory conflict, behavioral changes, and drugs.
Topics: Fatigue; Histamine Antagonists; Humans; Motion Sickness; Neurophysiology; Vomiting
PubMed: 30406755
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0687 -
Handbook of Clinical Neurology 2018The major symptoms of motion sickness are well known and include facial pallor, nausea and vomiting, and sweating, but it is poorly recognized that they actually reflect... (Review)
Review
The major symptoms of motion sickness are well known and include facial pallor, nausea and vomiting, and sweating, but it is poorly recognized that they actually reflect severely perturbed thermoregulation. Thus, the purpose of this chapter is to present and discuss existing data related to this subject. While hypothermia during seasickness was first noted nearly 150 years ago, detailed studies of this phenomenon were conducted only during the last two decades. Our own research confirmed that motion sickness-induced hypothermia is quite broadly expressed phylogenetically as, besides humans, it could be provoked in several other animals (rats, musk shrews, and mice). Evidence from human and animal experiments indicates that the physiologic mechanisms responsible for the motion sickness-induced hypothermia include cutaneous vasodilation and sweating (leading to an increase of heat loss) and reduced thermogenesis. Together, these results suggest that motion sickness triggers a highly coordinated physiologic response aiming to reduce body temperature. The chapter is concluded by presenting hypotheses of how and why motion sickness evokes this hypothermic response.
Topics: Animals; Body Temperature Regulation; Humans; Hypothermia; Motion Sickness; Nausea
PubMed: 30454606
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63912-7.00027-8 -
Handbook of Clinical Neurology 2016Over 2000 years ago the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote, "sailing on the sea proves that motion disorders the body." Indeed, the word "nausea" derives from the Greek... (Review)
Review
Over 2000 years ago the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote, "sailing on the sea proves that motion disorders the body." Indeed, the word "nausea" derives from the Greek root word naus, hence "nautical," meaning a ship. The primary signs and symptoms of motion sickness are nausea and vomiting. Motion sickness can be provoked by a wide variety of transport environments, including land, sea, air, and space. The recent introduction of new visual technologies may expose more of the population to visually induced motion sickness. This chapter describes the signs and symptoms of motion sickness and different types of provocative stimuli. The "how" of motion sickness (i.e., the mechanism) is generally accepted to involve sensory conflict, for which the evidence is reviewed. New observations concern the identification of putative "sensory conflict" neurons and the underlying brain mechanisms. But what reason or purpose does motion sickness serve, if any? This is the "why" of motion sickness, which is analyzed from both evolutionary and nonfunctional maladaptive theoretic perspectives. Individual differences in susceptibility are great in the normal population and predictors are reviewed. Motion sickness susceptibility also varies dramatically between special groups of patients, including those with different types of vestibular disease and in migraineurs. Finally, the efficacy and relative advantages and disadvantages of various behavioral and pharmacologic countermeasures are evaluated.
Topics: Humans; Motion Sickness
PubMed: 27638085
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63437-5.00027-3 -
Applied Ergonomics Mar 2016This paper discusses the predicted increase in the occurrence and severity of motion sickness in self-driving cars. Self-driving cars have the potential to lead to... (Review)
Review
This paper discusses the predicted increase in the occurrence and severity of motion sickness in self-driving cars. Self-driving cars have the potential to lead to significant benefits. From the driver's perspective, the direct benefits of this technology are considered increased comfort and productivity. However, we here show that the envisaged scenarios all lead to an increased risk of motion sickness. As such, the benefits this technology is assumed to bring may not be capitalised on, in particular by those already susceptible to motion sickness. This can negatively affect user acceptance and uptake and, in turn, limit the potential socioeconomic benefits that this emerging technology may provide. Following a discussion on the causes of motion sickness in the context of self-driving cars, we present guidelines to steer the design and development of automated vehicle technologies. The aim is to limit or avoid the impact of motion sickness and ultimately promote the uptake of self-driving cars. Attention is also given to less well known consequences of motion sickness, in particular negative aftereffects such as postural instability, and detrimental effects on task performance and how this may impact the use and design of self-driving cars. We conclude that basic perceptual mechanisms need to be considered in the design process whereby self-driving cars cannot simply be thought of as living rooms, offices, or entertainment venues on wheels.
Topics: Age Factors; Anticipation, Psychological; Automation; Automobile Driving; Automobiles; Data Display; Equipment Design; Habituation, Psychophysiologic; Humans; Motion Sickness; Posture; Severity of Illness Index; Sex Factors; Technology Transfer
PubMed: 26446454
DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.09.009 -
Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance Feb 2018A theory is presented to explain the major findings regarding motion sickness and to synthetize current theories concerning its etiology. The theory proposes that an... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
A theory is presented to explain the major findings regarding motion sickness and to synthetize current theories concerning its etiology. The theory proposes that an imbalance in the output of the two major organs of the labyrinth-favoring the semicircular canals over the otolith organs-is responsible for most instances of motion sickness as experienced in terrestrial and microgravity environments.
METHODS
Strengths and limitations of current theories are first outlined before the different roles of the canals and otoliths in the genesis of motion sickness symptoms are described.
RESULTS
The proposed theory is shown to explain a large number of findings and integrate current theories.
DISCUSSION
The role of vestibular imbalance in motion sickness may be a consequence of the more general differences between the canals and otoliths in autonomic control.Previc FH. Intravestibular balance and motion sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(2):130-140.
Topics: Gravitation; Humans; Motion Sickness; Otolithic Membrane; Postural Balance; Semicircular Canals; Sensation Disorders; Space Motion Sickness
PubMed: 29463358
DOI: 10.3357/AMHP.4946.2018 -
Experimental Brain Research Feb 2021We investigated and modeled the temporal evolution of motion sickness in a highly dynamic sickening drive. Slalom maneuvers were performed in a passenger vehicle,...
We investigated and modeled the temporal evolution of motion sickness in a highly dynamic sickening drive. Slalom maneuvers were performed in a passenger vehicle, resulting in lateral accelerations of 0.4 g at 0.2 Hz, to which participants were subjected as passengers for up to 30 min. Subjective motion sickness was recorded throughout the sickening drive using the MISC scale. In addition, physiological and postural responses were evaluated by recording head roll, galvanic skin response (GSR) and electrocardiography (ECG). Experiment 1 compared external vision (normal view through front and side car windows) to internal vision (obscured view through front and side windows). Experiment 2 tested hypersensitivity with a second exposure a few minutes after the first drive and tested repeatability of individuals' sickness responses by measuring these two exposures three times in three successive sessions. An adapted form of Oman's model of nausea was used to quantify sickness development, repeatability, and motion sickness hypersensitivity at an individual level. Internal vision was more sickening compared to external vision with a higher mean MISC (4.2 vs. 2.3), a higher MISC rate (0.59 vs. 0.10 min) and more dropouts (66% vs. 33%) for whom the experiment was terminated due to reaching a MISC level of 7 (moderate nausea). The adapted Oman model successfully captured the development of sickness, with a mean model error, including the decay during rest and hypersensitivity upon further exposure, of 11.3%. Importantly, we note that knowledge of an individuals' previous motion sickness response to sickening stimuli increases individual modeling accuracy by a factor of 2 when compared to group-based modeling, indicating individual repeatability. Head roll did not vary significantly with motion sickness. ECG varied slightly with motion sickness and time. GSR clearly varied with motion sickness, where the tonic and phasic GSR increased 42.5% and 90%, respectively, above baseline at high MISC levels, but GSR also increased in time independent of motion sickness, accompanied with substantial scatter.
Topics: Galvanic Skin Response; Head; Humans; Motion Sickness; Nausea; Vision, Ocular
PubMed: 33249541
DOI: 10.1007/s00221-020-05986-6