Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 13, 2026

How to Study Placebo Responses in Motion Sickness with a Rotation Chair Paradigm in Healthy Participants
08:50

How to Study Placebo Responses in Motion Sickness with a Rotation Chair Paradigm in Healthy Participants

Published on: December 14, 2014

Is there a role for nonsedating antihistamines in motion sickness? Fallout from space research may soon benefit your

R L Kohl1

  • 1University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.

The Journal of Respiratory Diseases
|April 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Nonsedating antihistamines like doxepin and terfenadine can prevent motion sickness. This study found these drugs significantly increased tolerance to Coriolis stimulation, suggesting a protective effect against nausea.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Motion sickness is a common condition often simulated using rotating chair tests.
  • Antihistamines are frequently used to treat or prevent motion sickness, but their efficacy varies.
  • Nonsedating antihistamines offer an alternative with fewer side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effectiveness of nonsedating oral antihistamines in preventing motion sickness.
  • To evaluate the prophylactic effects of terfenadine, astemizole, and doxepin against motion sickness.

Main Methods:

  • A rotating chair test was employed to simulate motion sickness in male volunteers.
  • Participants received terfenadine, astemizole, doxepin, or a placebo.
  • Volunteers performed head movements until the point of perceived vomiting, with tolerance measured.

Main Results:

  • Doxepin and terfenadine demonstrated a statistically significant prophylactic effect against motion sickness.
  • These antihistamines increased tolerance to Coriolis stimulation, a key factor in motion sickness.
  • Astemizole did not show a significant protective effect compared to the placebo.

Conclusions:

  • Selective peripheral H1 antihistamine action appears to protect against motion sickness.
  • Doxepin and terfenadine are effective in preventing motion sickness, likely through H1 receptor antagonism.
  • Further research into H1 antihistamines for motion sickness prevention is warranted.
Keywords:
NASA Center JSCNASA Discipline Neuroscience

More Related Videos

Assessing the Autonomic and Behavioral Effects of Passive Motion in Rats using Elevator Vertical Motion and Ferris-Wheel Rotation06:18

Assessing the Autonomic and Behavioral Effects of Passive Motion in Rats using Elevator Vertical Motion and Ferris-Wheel Rotation

Published on: February 7, 2020

Using Eye-tracking to Assess the Relative Importance of Visual and Vestibular Input to Subcortical Motion Processing in the Roll Plane07:24

Using Eye-tracking to Assess the Relative Importance of Visual and Vestibular Input to Subcortical Motion Processing in the Roll Plane

Published on: August 22, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses01:26

Cholinergic Antagonists: Therapeutic Uses

Antimuscarinic drugs have various therapeutic applications by inhibiting parasympathetic stimulation in different systems. Here are the key therapeutic uses of antimuscarinics:    
Respiratory Tract: Ipratropium, aclidinium, and tiotropium treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They protect against bronchoconstriction caused by irritants like cigarette smoke, sulfur dioxide, and ozone. They also help reduce nasopharyngeal secretions in common...
Equilibrium and Balance01:15

Equilibrium and Balance

The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines01:15

Upper Respiratory Drugs: First and Second-Generation Antihistamines

Antihistamines are a class of drugs widely used to alleviate the symptoms of allergies, such as sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion. They work by inhibiting the actions of histamine, which is released by immune cells in response to allergenic substances or tissue injuries.
Histamine binds to specific receptor sites, known as H1 receptors, on tissue cells, triggering inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines combat these effects by competing with histamine for these receptor sites. By...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists01:27

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists

5-HT3 receptor antagonists, such as dolasetron, granisetron (Kytril), ondansetron (Zofran), and palonosetron (Axoli), are crucial in managing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and postoperative nausea. These drugs selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the visceral vagal and spinal afferent nerves, chemoreceptor trigger zone, and the vomiting center. They have a rapid onset of action and can be given as a single dose before chemotherapy. Ondansetron and granisetron, in particular,...
Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists01:29

Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Dopamine Receptor Antagonists

Dopamine receptor antagonists, also known as antipsychotic agents, are critical in managing chemotherapy-induced vomiting. These antiemetic agents block dopamine receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ), inhibiting signal transmission to the vomiting center. Antipsychotic agents encompass phenothiazines (PTZ), butyrophenones, benzamides, and thienobenzodiazepines (Zyprexa), which are utilized for their antiemetic and sedative properties.
Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine...