Seasickness Simulator to Assess Anti-Motion Sickness Devices

There are various motion sickness (MS) simulators in the laboratory, but the conditions under which they induce MS symptoms are different from real-life conditions. This study aimed to design a seasickness simulator, close to ecological conditions, easy to set up, at a modest cost, and capable of rapidly inducing MS symptoms, to evaluate the effect of anti-motion sickness devices. The hypothesis was that this simulator would induce MS, reflecting the susceptibility of subjects in real-life conditions, meaning the more susceptible individuals were to MS in real conditions, the more severe and rapid their symptoms would be in the simulator.

A total of 65 subjects with varying degrees of MS susceptibility (MS Susceptibility Questionnaire Short form) were exposed to a seasickness simulator for a maximum of 10 min. Measurements of subjective symptoms (Visual Analog Scale and time to onset of first symptoms) and physiological variables (heart rate and temperature) were taken.

Subjects covered the full range of MS susceptibility (from 0-100%). The average time in the simulator before the first symptoms of MS was 7.41 min ± 2.56 min. The time to onset of the first symptoms, the intensity of the symptoms, and heart rate were significantly correlated with the degree of susceptibility of subjects in real-life conditions.

The simulator induced varying intensity of MS depending on the subjects' susceptibility. It thus replicates real-life conditions and can serve as a useful tool for facilitating the research of devices, techniques, and medications to combat MS. de Thierry de Faletans C, Misericordia M, Vallier J-M, Duché P, Watelain E. Seasickness simulator to assess anti-motion sickness devices. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2025; 96(3):212-218.