Space motion sickness: phenomenology, countermeasures, and mechanisms

A summary of the incidence of Space Motion Sickness (SMS) in 27 Soviet cosmonauts who flew on missions varying from 2-185 d in the Salyut-6/Soyuz vehicle complex is presented. A questionnaire indicated that 88% (24) of the cosmonauts developed some type of "illusionary sensations" while 44% (12) presented some degree of SMS. The SMS countermeasures used in flight included an antihistaminic drug, pneumatic cuffs applied to the thigh region, application of lower body negative pressure, a head cap that restricted head movement while simultaneously providing force stimulus to the cervical antigravity muscles, and finally the use of an insole counterpressure device that added pressure to the sole of the foot.