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Electrogastrographic and autonomic responses during oculovestibular recoupling in flight simulation
Michael J Cevette1, Gaurav N Pradhan2, Daniela Cocco2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery/Audiology, Mayo Clinic, 13400 E. Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA. mcevette@mayo.edu
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|February 1, 2014
Summary
Oculovestibular recoupling stabilizes autonomic responses during flight simulation. This method reduced simulator sickness by normalizing gastric and cardiac activity, unlike the control group.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Physiology
- Human Factors
Background:
- Simulator sickness involves autonomic nervous system imbalance, with increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity.
- Quantifying these vestibulo-autonomic responses is crucial for understanding and mitigating simulator sickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify autonomic responses during flight simulation using electrogastrography and cardiac interbeat intervals.
- To evaluate the efficacy of oculovestibular recoupling in mitigating simulator sickness-induced autonomic changes.
Main Methods:
- 29 subjects were randomized into oculovestibular recoupling (galvanic vestibular stimulation synchronous with visual field) or control groups.
- Electrogastrography and interbeat interval data were collected during baseline, simulation, and post-simulation.
- Simulator sickness questionnaire administered to assess symptom severity.
Main Results:
- Oculovestibular recoupling group showed dominant normogastria during simulation, unlike the control group which exhibited increased bradygastria.
- The oculovestibular recoupling group had significantly less instability in gastric activity (26% change) compared to the control group (108% change).
- Cardiac high-frequency components remained stable in the oculovestibular recoupling group, while decreasing in the control group.
Conclusions:
- Electrogastrography and interbeat intervals are sensitive indicators of autonomic changes during flight simulation.
- Oculovestibular recoupling shows potential in stabilizing gastric and cardiac autonomic functions affected by simulator and motion sickness.
