Motion Sickness Prevention by 8 Hz Stroboscopic Environment during Actual Air Transport
Abstract
Previous research has shown that retinal slip can be a significant factor in causing motion sickness. Stroboscopic illumination is believed to prevent retinal slip by providing snapshots of the visual environment that are brief enough so each image is stationary on the retina. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an 8 Hz stroboscopic environment as a motion sickness countermeasure during a nauseogenic flight in a helicopter. The study population was comprised of 20 motion sickness susceptible participants. Participants completed a motion sickness symptom questionnaire, cognitive tasks, reaction time tests, and weapons utilization tasks after nauseogenic flights with and without 8 Hz stroboscopic illumination in the cabin. Results indicate that self-reported nausea scores were significantly reduced in the stroboscopic condition. Also, there was a significantly greater performance decline over the course of the reaction time task in the non-stroboscopic condition. These results support the use of stroboscopic illumination as a non-pharmacologic countermeasure for motion sickness related to retinal slip.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA553665
Entities
People
- Arthur Estrada
- Catherine M. Webb
- Jeremy R. Athy
- Melody R. King
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab