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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 -
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 -
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 -
Current Opinion in Neurology Feb 2005The public's longstanding resigned tolerance to motion sickness threatens to change, due to the widespread introduction of nauseogenic tilting trains and the increasing... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The public's longstanding resigned tolerance to motion sickness threatens to change, due to the widespread introduction of nauseogenic tilting trains and the increasing use of virtual reality immersion.
RECENT FINDINGS
Scientific effort over the last 5 years has focused on precise evaluation of the stimuli that provoke sickness and on the development of behavioural and new pharmacological interventions to suppress sickness.
SUMMARY
The precise mechanical ride characteristics of vehicles that provoke sickness have been identified and this will lead to guidelines for future engineering design, especially for suspension systems that compensate for inertial tilt, and recommendations for passengers at risk. The frequency characteristics of motion provoking sickness have been defined with greater precision and identified with shifts in perception of motion versus orientation, and changes in the quality of reflex eye movements. Ability to modify readily the time constant of vestibular 'velocity store' has emerged as a potential candidate marker of successful motion sickness habituation. Behavioural 'autogenic' countermeasures to the development of sickness, such as controlled breathing, which can be implemented readily, are shown to have significant ameliorating effects on nausea and are of value for short term moderate exposures. New classes of pharmacological agents such as N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists and 5HT1a receptor agonists show promise in animals but await trials in humans.
Topics: Antiemetics; Behavior Therapy; Humans; Motion Sickness; Vestibule, Labyrinth; Visual Perception
PubMed: 15655399
DOI: 10.1097/00019052-200502000-00007 -
Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic &... Oct 2006Motion sickness can be caused by a variety of motion environments (e.g., cars, boats, planes, tilting trains, funfair rides, space, virtual reality) and given a... (Review)
Review
Motion sickness can be caused by a variety of motion environments (e.g., cars, boats, planes, tilting trains, funfair rides, space, virtual reality) and given a sufficiently provocative motion stimulus almost anyone with a functioning vestibular system can be made motion sick. Current hypotheses of the 'Why?' of motion sickness are still under investigation, the two most important being 'toxin detector' and the 'vestibular-cardiovascular reflex'. By contrast, the 'How?' of motion sickness is better understood in terms of mechanisms (e.g., 'sensory conflict' or similar) and stimulus properties (e.g., acceleration, frequency, duration, visual-vestibular time-lag). Factors governing motion sickness susceptibility may be divided broadly into two groups: (i) those related to the stimulus (motion type and provocative property of stimulus); and (ii) those related to the individual person (habituation or sensitisation, individual differences, protective behaviours, administration of anti-motion sickness drugs). The aim of this paper is to review some of the more important factors governing motion sickness susceptibility, with an emphasis on the personal rather than physical stimulus factors.
Topics: Animals; Antiemetics; Disease Susceptibility; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Motion Sickness
PubMed: 16931173
DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2006.07.019 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Dec 2011
Review
Topics: Antiemetics; Combined Modality Therapy; Habituation, Psychophysiologic; Humans; Motion Sickness; Muscarinic Antagonists; Posture; Visual Perception
PubMed: 22138695
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.d7430 -
Experimental Brain Research Nov 2006Motion sickness remains a persistent problem in spaceflight. The present review summarizes available knowledge concerning the incidence and onset of space motion... (Review)
Review
Motion sickness remains a persistent problem in spaceflight. The present review summarizes available knowledge concerning the incidence and onset of space motion sickness and aspects of the physiology of motion sickness. Proposed etiological factors in the elicitation of space motion sickness are evaluated including fluid shifts, head movements, visual orientation illusions, Coriolis cross-coupling stimulation, and otolith asymmetries. Current modes of treating space motion sickness are described. Theoretical models and proposed ground-based paradigms for understanding and studying space motion sickness are critically analyzed. Prediction tests and questionnaires for assessing susceptibility to space motion sickness and their limitations are discussed. We conclude that space motion sickness does represent a form of motion sickness and that it does not represent a unique diagnostic entity. Motion sickness arises when movements are made during exposure to unusual force backgrounds both higher and lower in magnitude than 1 g earth gravity.
Topics: Humans; Motion Sickness; Space Flight; Weightlessness
PubMed: 17021896
DOI: 10.1007/s00221-006-0697-y -
Seminars in Neurology Feb 2020Environmental circumstances that result in ambiguity or conflict with the patterns of sensory stimulation may adversely affect the vestibular system. The effect of this... (Review)
Review
Environmental circumstances that result in ambiguity or conflict with the patterns of sensory stimulation may adversely affect the vestibular system. The effect of this conflict in sensory information may be dizziness, a sense of imbalance, nausea, and motion sickness sometimes even to seemingly minor daily head movement activities. In some, it is not only exposure to motion but also the observation of objects in motion around them such as in supermarket aisles or other places with visual commotion; this can lead to dizziness, nausea, or a feeling of motion sickness that is referred to as . All people with normal vestibular function can be made to experience motion sickness, although individual susceptibility varies widely and is at least partially heritable. Motorists learn to interpret sensory stimuli in the context of the car stabilized by its suspension and guided by steering. A type of motorist's disorientation occurs in some individuals who develop a heightened awareness of perceptions of motion in the automobile that makes them feel as though they may be rolling over on corners and as though they are veering on open highways or in streaming traffic. This article discusses the putative mechanisms, consequences and approach to managing patients with visual vertigo, motion sickness, and motorist's disorientation syndrome in the context of chronic dizziness and motion sensitivity.
Topics: Automobile Driving; Confusion; Dizziness; Humans; Motion Sickness; Vertigo
PubMed: 32045940
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701653 -
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