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Motion Exposure, Cognitive Impairment, and Risk Factors for Mal de Débarquement Syndrome
Charlotte K Hughes1,2, Jae J Kim2, Hudson Liu3
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California, USA.
Summary
Ship motion variability correlates with increased simulator sickness and cognitive deficits. While Mal de Débarquement syndrome (MdDS) incidence didn't differ, rougher seas impacted visuospatial memory.
Area of Science:
- Maritime Health
- Human Factors Engineering
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Shipboard motion variability can impact crew well-being and performance.
- Understanding the relationship between motion, sickness, and cognition is crucial for operational safety.
- Individual susceptibility, such as history of migraine or motion sickness, may influence responses to vestibular challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between shipboard motion variability and simulator sickness, Mal de Débarquement syndrome (MdDS) features, and cognitive function.
- To determine if a history of migraine or motion sickness modifies these effects.
- To explore the utility of inertial measurement units (IMUs) for quantifying motion and cognitive assessments for screening.
Main Methods:
- Prospective observational cohort study involving 38 active-duty personnel aboard the USNS Mercy.
- Measurements included inertial measurement unit (IMU) data for motion variability (standard deviation of linear acceleration magnitude) and standardized questionnaires/tests for simulator sickness (SSQ), MdDS, and cognition (ROCF, SDMT, Stroop).
- Data collected at baseline, during rougher seas (California-Hawaii), and calmer seas (Chuuk-Hawaii), analyzed using linear mixed-effects models.
Main Results:
- Higher motion variability (IMU SD) on the rougher sea leg correlated with increased simulator sickness symptoms.
- Visuospatial memory, assessed by Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF), showed impairments (slower performance, lower recall accuracy) during rougher seas.
- Mal de Débarquement syndrome (MdDS) incidence and cognitive measures like SDMT and Stroop were not significantly affected by sea state, though Migraine Disability Assessment Score (MIDAS) correlated with MdDS burden.
Conclusions:
- Increased shipboard motion variability is associated with acute symptom burden and specific cognitive impairments, particularly visuospatial memory deficits.
- The incidence of persistent Mal de Débarquement syndrome (MdDS) did not vary between different sea states in this cohort.
- IMU-based motion monitoring combined with targeted cognitive tests could aid in planning and post-voyage screening for individuals at risk.
Keywords:
Mal de Débarquement syndromeinertial measurement unitmigraineship motionsimulator sicknessvestibular disordersvisuospatial memoryMore Related Videos
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