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Active high-frequency vestibulo-ocular reflex and seasickness susceptibility
Zohar Nachum1, Carlos R Gordon, Baruch Shahal
1Motion Sickness and Human Performance Laboratory, Israel Naval Medical Institute, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Haifa, Israel.
The Laryngoscope
|January 22, 2002
Summary
The vestibular autorotation test (VAT) showed differences in eye movement responses between seasickness-susceptible and non-susceptible individuals. However, VAT measurements are not yet practical for categorizing individual motion sickness susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Vestibular System Physiology
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- The vestibular autorotation test (VAT) assesses the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) during active head oscillations.
- Motion sickness is linked to multimodal sensory interactions, making VAT a potential tool for susceptibility evaluation.
- Understanding VOR in extreme susceptibility groups can elucidate motion sickness mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate high-frequency VOR parameters using VAT in seamen with extreme seasickness susceptibility.
- To determine if VAT can differentiate between individuals highly susceptible and non-susceptible to seasickness.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 35 healthy male volunteers (18-23 years) divided into seasickness-susceptible (n=20) and non-susceptible (n=15) groups.
- The vestibulo-ocular reflex was assessed using VAT at frequencies from 2.0 to 5.9 Hz.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher lag in the vertical phase was observed in the susceptible group, particularly at higher frequencies (3.9-5.9 Hz).
- A significant interaction between group and frequency was found for the horizontal phase, with higher values in the susceptible group at 5.5 and 5.9 Hz.
- No significant differences in horizontal or vertical gain were detected between the groups.
Conclusions:
- The VAT demonstrated differential responses between seasickness susceptibility extremes, supporting its use in multimodal sensory assessment.
- Despite observed statistical differences, VAT measurements are currently insufficient for practical categorization of individual motion sickness susceptibility.