Could sound be used as a strategy for reducing symptoms of perceived motion sickness?
2008

Using Sound to Reduce Motion Sickness Symptoms

Sample size: 23 publication Evidence: low

Author Information

Author(s): Dahlman Joakim, Sjörs Anna, Ledin Torbjörn, Falkmer Torbjörn

Primary Institution: Linköping University

Hypothesis

Can sound be used as a strategy for reducing symptoms of perceived motion sickness?

Conclusion

The artificial sound horizon did not significantly affect perceived motion sickness or the time subjects endured motion sickness triggers.

Supporting Evidence

  • Mal scores increased over time in both sound conditions.
  • The artificial sound horizon showed no significant effect on Mal scores.
  • Subjects endured motion sickness stimulation longer in the second trial.

Takeaway

The study tested if sound could help people feel less sick when moving, but it didn't really work.

Methodology

Twenty-three healthy subjects were tested on a motion platform with two sound conditions: an artificial sound horizon and non-positioned sound.

Potential Biases

Participants' previous experiences with motion sickness could have influenced their responses.

Limitations

The study's power was insufficient to draw definitive conclusions, and the sound positioning may not have been optimal.

Participant Demographics

6 men and 17 women, mean age 29.0 years, range 20–51 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.186

Confidence Interval

95% CI -.8 to 3.9

Statistical Significance

p = 0.186

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1743-0003-5-35

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